The African Action Congress (AAC) has asked the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its support for the candidature of Peter Obi,
presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
The AAC said this in a statement on Tuesday, signed by Femi
Adeyeye, its spokesperson.
In June, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria
(TUC) declared their support for Obi in the 2023 elections.
The declaration of support for Obi’s candidature by the
labour unions has elicited mixed reactions.
Last Saturday, the APC presidential campaign council asked
the NLC to state its position on the payment of petrol subsidy in the wake of
its support for the candidature of Obi.
Earlier, Obi had said part of his plans, if he becomes
president, would be to remove petrol subsidy.
Responding to the APC presidential campaign, the NLC said if
Nigeria has functional refineries, the problems associated with payment of
petrol subsidy will be addressed.
Recently, Obi, in an interview on CNN, said, if elected
president he will encourage the private sector to build and operate refineries.
“Let me use the issue of oil as an example, there is no
reason why our refineries can’t work. There is no reason why we should not
encourage the private sector to build refineries and operate them,” the former
Anambra governor had said.
“They are not rocket science, it can be done as quickly as
possible. You can decide to remove fuel subsidy, use the resources to support
critical areas of production from critical infrastructure to education and
support investment in refineries, which will be done within a shortest possible
time.”
‘HOW CAN LABOUR
UNIONS BE SUPPORTING WORKERS’ ENEMIES?’
Reacting to Obi’s comments, the AAC accused the former
Anambra governor of moving LP away from “pro-worker” ideology, and hijacking
the party.
The party said Omoyele Sowore, its presidential candidate,
is the “only pro-labour and pro-masses” candidate in the 2023 elections.
“It is more than clear to all now where Mr Peter Obi and the
new Labour Party (LP) stands on the removal of fuel subsidies and the
privatisation of the commanding heights of the economy,” the statement reads.
“Live on CNN on Saturday, Mr Peter Obi stated clearly that
all subsidies should be removed and the private sector should start refining
fuel.
“This is a contradiction
to the NLC charter of demands and the Clcongress position since the January
uprising against fuel subsidy removal in the year 2012.
“NLC and TUC must note that millions of Nigerians rose up
against the Jonathan regime over fuel subsidy removal, with the fear of the
hike in petrol and cost of living.
“As of today, the
subsidy removal protests have been justified. With the Buhari government’s
off-and-on removal of subsidies as well as payment of fake subsidies, petrol
price has risen ridiculously to N250 today.
“Gasoline is N800, while Kerosene and diesel sell for the
same N800. Airlines are beginning to pack their loads as business is being
stiffened as Aviation Fuel now cost about N1000 per litre.
“We call on President
Ayuba Wabba and Festus Osifo to withdraw their support for Peter Obi as he has
only hijacked the Labour Party from it’s moving towards pro-workerist ideas.
“We also call on the NEC of NLC and TUC to rise and take a
clear stand against this usurper of the sweat and blood of our heroes and
matyrs as the labour movement.
“How can Labour centres be supporting an enemy of workers
who oversaw 13 months of Doctors Strike, 2 years of workers strike and refused
to pay 11 months pensions as Anambra governor?
“The same Peter Obi has commercialized the Labour Party to
the extent that no incorruptible comrade can contest in the party as tickets
are sold off in tens and hundreds of millions.
“Even known Labour activists who had secured the LP tickets
before Obi came to hijack the party has been illegally stripped of their
candidacies.
“AAC believes that the answer to the Subsidy issue is to
make all the refineries working, while three more are built within three years.
“Our party believes that Nigeria has to refine locally and
put the management system into the hands of workers themselves, not
multi-nationals nor the so-called expatriates.
“This will naturally stop the waste in fuel subsidies while
not allowing selling or any commercialization of the NNPC, NLNG and other
collective ïnterests.
“Petrol price will automatically reduce drastically as we
refine and export locally, instead of exporting crude oil with over 200
minerals while getting only fuel imported.
“Omoyele Sowore’s presidency will also stop immediately the
flaring of gas; clean up Ogoni and other polluted waters in the Niger Delta and
review the punitive Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA) which is gearing to take
away the ownership of crude oil from Nigerians generally to only a few
individuals!”
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