Obi: APC campaign council challenges NLC to state stand on fuel subsidy removal

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*Keyamo

Spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential council, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress to state its position on petrol subsidy as it (NLC) declares support for the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.

Obi had said that he would put an end to the “criminality called oil subsidy” if he is elected in 2023.

The NLC, which has vehemently opposed the removal of petrol subsidy, is among the many groups that have declared support for Obi.

President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabara had said at the LP retreat held last Monday that the union will mobilise its members across the 774 LGAs to achieve victory for Obi in the 2023 presidential election.

Taking the NLC to task in a statement issued on Saturday, Keyamo, said by supporting Obi’s presidential bid, the NLC should disclose its current position on petrol subsidy.

The statement reads: “We note that the leadership of the organized labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, September 13, 2022, at a national retreat of the Labour Party in Abuja, promised to mobilise its members across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to ensure victory for Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in next year’s presidential election.

“We also note that in several interviews he granted in the last few months and weeks, Mr. Peter Obi has vowed to totally remove subsidy on petrol if elected President. We also note NLC’s long-standing opposition to the total removal of fuel subsidy. Other left-leaning supporters of the Labour Party were also present at the event to cheer Mr. Peter Obi.

“Consequently, the following questions are urgently begging for answers by the leadership of the NLC:

“Before adopting Mr. Peter Obi as its candidate, did the leadership of the NLC have a discussion with him on the issue of removal of fuel subsidy?

“If they did have that discussion, did Mr. Peter Obi agree to back down on the issue of subsidy removal? Was that a basis for supporting him? If he did not back down on the issue, did organised Labour agree with him?

“If no such discussion is held, does it mean the leadership of the NLC now fully supports the removal of fuel subsidy? Or will that not be reckless of the NLC to adopt a candidate without thoroughly interrogating the candidate on his policies as they affect the Nigerian workers or the masses? The NLC must make a public statement and come clean on this.

“If the excuse is that Mr. Peter Obi has said that the money saved will be used in other critical areas of the economy, how is that different from what Buhari’s government is also saying?

“These questions have become necessary because Nigerians deserve to know whether organised Labour’s adopted party, which is the Labour Party, supports and promotes a policy that the leadership of Labour opposes in another breath when it is adopted by the government of the day. They cannot be blowing hot and cold.”

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