Femi Fani-Kayode, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for their intention to stage a nationwide strike on Wednesday, which aims to shut down the country’s economy. The NLC announced this strike in response to the significant increase in petroleum pump price resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy. Despite efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s government to address the concerns, no progress has been made thus far, as the union refused to attend a meeting with the federal government.
Expressing his views on the planned strike, Fani-Kayode took to Twitter and condemned the NLC for its silence when the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, introduced the cashless policy earlier in the year. He referred to the policy as “horrendous, callous, wicked, malevolent, barbaric, vicious, self-seeking, politically-motivated, unconstitutional, and illegal cash confiscation and money deprivation policy.” Fani-Kayode questioned the NLC’s inconsistency in response to these different policies.
He further stated that the NLC’s strike threat revolves around the implementation of a well-considered and credible policy on oil subsidy, which the Nigerian people supported by electing a President who promised its removal. While acknowledging the initial difficulties associated with the policy, Fani-Kayode believed it would ultimately lead to the revival of the economy and provide the necessary resources for significant infrastructural development.
Fani-Kayode criticized the NLC’s leadership, labeling them as insincere, double-faced, and hypocritical, suggesting that they are following a hidden agenda under the influence of Peter Obi. He accused them of being subservient to Obi’s directives, implying that they would unquestionably obey his orders. However, Fani-Kayode emphasized that regardless of the NLC’s stance, the removal of oil subsidy is inevitable and necessary to rescue the country from financial challenges and decay that have persisted for the past 15 years, as well as to steer it towards national development.
