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NLC Blasts Tinubu Over Fuel Subsidy Removal, Says It Has Worsened Nigeria’s Woes
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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the removal of the fuel subsidy, asserting that the policy has exacerbated the nation’s economic challenges.
Benson Upah, the spokesperson for the NLC, made these remarks in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s claims during his recent presidential media chat.
During the chat, which took place on Monday at his Lagos residence, President Tinubu defended his decision to remove the fuel subsidy, stating that Nigeria would have been on the brink of disaster if the subsidy had not been abolished. He argued that the removal was essential for securing the country’s financial future and preventing the continued depletion of national resources.
“We are spending our future. We are spending our generation’s fortunes. We are not investing. We are just deceiving ourselves,” the President remarked, reiterating his firm stance on the necessity of the subsidy removal.
NLC’s Response: Subsidy Removal Has Created More Problems
However, the NLC strongly disagrees with the President’s assessment. In an interview with Punch on Saturday, Upah countered Tinubu’s argument, stating that the removal of the subsidy had not provided the expected solutions but rather worsened the problems faced by ordinary Nigerians.
When asked whether he agreed with the President’s statement, Upah responded firmly, saying, “Certainly no. He (the President) knows the truth.
Nigerians, particularly workers and unions, who argue that the subsidy removal has led to higher fuel prices, increased cost of living, and worsening economic hardship for the majority of the population.
The Debate Over Fuel Subsidy
The removal of the fuel subsidy has been one of the most contentious policies of Tinubu’s administration. While the government insists that it is a necessary step to reduce fiscal burdens and encourage long-term economic growth, critics, including the NLC, claim that it has disproportionately affected vulnerable groups who now face skyrocketing costs for basic goods and services.
The ongoing debate highlights the deep divide in Nigeria over the best approach to economic reform. Proponents of the subsidy removal argue that it will help reduce government expenditures, while opponents contend that it places an unfair burden on ordinary citizens who already grapple with inflation and unemployment.
As the nation continues to navigate these challenges, the NLC’s response adds to the growing calls for a review of the policy and greater attention to the needs of the average Nigerian in the face of economic reforms.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken an early lead over the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the first polling unit Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken an early lead over the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the first polling unit result declared in the ongoing Osun State governorship election.Applying For Government Grants The result was announced at Polling Unit 39, Ward 4, in Osogbo Local Government Area after officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concluded voting, sorting and counting of the ballots. The Presiding Officer, Oyeranmi Deborah, announced the results as follows:
AAC — 1 voteCampaigns & Elections – ADC — 2 votes – APC — 43 votes – ZLP — 1 vote
The result shows that Accord Party secured the highest number of votes at the polling unit with 65 votes, while the APC polled 43 votes. Although the result does not represent the overall outcome of the election, it provides an early indication of voting patterns at the polling-unit level as collation continues across the state.
The election in Osogbo report that voting has ended in some polling units, with officials already sorting and counting ballots. Results from other polling units are expected to emerge as INEC officials continue the counting and collation process across Osun State.
The final winner of the governorship election will be determined after all results have been collated and formally declared by INEC.
Senator Francis Fadahunsi has come under renewed scrutiny over comments he reportedly made while addressing supporters at his polling unit during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
A video purportedly recorded at the polling location showed the senator urging his supporters to monitor their ballots before making further remarks about how they should vote.
The comments have triggered a reaction from the Imole Campaign Council, which accused Fadahunsi of attempting to influence voters during the election.
The council’s spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the remarks as unacceptable and undemocratic and called on security agencies to investigate the development.
The latest controversy comes days after Fadahunsi was invited by the Osun State Police Command over comments attributed to him during a campaign event in Ilesa.
The senator had previously faced criticism over a statement interpreted by opponents as a call for violence against members of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi later clarified that the statement was not intended literally, explaining that he was urging his supporters to defeat the Accord Party politically at the polls.
The earlier controversy also attracted the attention of Amnesty International Nigeria, which called for an investigation and accountability over the alleged inciting remarks.
With voting underway across the state, the latest incident has again placed Fadahunsi under scrutiny amid heightened political tensions surrounding the governorship election.
However, the interpretation of the senator’s latest remarks and the allegations made by the campaign council could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Popular singer, Davido has alleged that soldiers are attempting to prevent him from entering Osun State as residents vote in the governorship election.
Davido made the claim in a post on his verified X account early Saturday.
“I’ve been reliably informed that soldiers are trying to prevent me from entering Osun tomorrow; this won’t happen. Every citizen of Nigeria has the right to movement at any point in time,” he wrote.
His claim comes hours after the Nigeria Police Force announced a restriction of movement across Osun State from midnight on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of security measures for the election.
Thousands of police officers and other security personnel have been deployed across the state to maintain security during the poll.
Recall that Davido, who is a nephew of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has been actively campaigning for his uncle, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
The governor is facing Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other candidates in the off-cycle election.
Davido’s allegation has generated mixed reactions, with some social media users pointing to the already announced movement restriction as a possible explanation for security checks, while others raised concerns about whether the restriction was being selectively applied.
Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential media aide, dismissed Davido’s claim as “dramatic”, arguing that the movement restriction had already been publicly announced by security agencies.
“You are just dramatic, @davido. It has been widely announced by the security operators that movement in and around Osun will be restricted from 12 midnight today until 6 pm today due to the election, and this is a standard security measure during elections anywhere, not peculiar to Osun,” Ahmad wrote.
He emphasized that the constitutional right to freedom of movement does not exempt citizens from lawful security measures introduced to protect the electoral process.
“So the right to freedom of movement does not mean ignoring lawful security measures put in place to ensure a peaceful and credible election,” he added.
BREAKING: Gov Adeleke in Early Lead, Wins First INEC Announced Results
Osun Decides: Fadahunsi Under Fire Again Over Remarks at Polling Unit
Davido Alleges He Was Barred From Entering Osun to Cast His Vote
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