LAGOS — The Nigeria Labour Congress yesterday called on all Nigerians to resist the Trade Union Amendment Act sent to the National Assembly by President Obasanjo, describing it as a law targeted not only against the NLC but all Nigerians for their resistance to increases in the prices of petroleum products by the Federal Government.
But the NLC leadership which spoke through its president, Adams Oshiomhole at the end of its Central Working Committee held in Lagos yesterday, vowed that it would resist any attempt to again increase the prices of petroleum products which Oshiomhole said, going by the rising prices in the international market, a litre of petrol may sell for N70- N75 in Lagos and N80- N85 in other parts of the country and this would worsen inflation. He added: “We are being attacked merely because we have chosen to defend the rights of our people”.
The NLC president said, the recent call by the IMF chief executive that Nigeria cannot attract foreign investors if the Federal Government fails to control inflation tallies with the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Oshiomhole who called on the National Assembly to consider the implications of the bills in the interest of democracy said: “We call on all Nigerians that this is the time to rise, to speak out. The mallams in the mosques, priests, pastors or bishops in churches, should make this an issue in their Friday prayers, or Sunday prayers. Prevention they say is better than cure”.
He recalled that on several occasions, the National Assembly had passed motions in support of the NLC’s struggle against increases in the prices of petroleum products.
Oshiomhole said: “This amendment is designed as a punishment on account of our efforts together with the civil society to protect Nigerians from harsh economic policies”.
The NLC president who announced that the national executive council of the NLC would meet in Abuja on Monday to map out strategies to respond to the bill said “ Nigeria cannot be a free society, democracy cannot thrive, if this bill is allowed to succeed”.
To President Obasanjo, Oshiomhole urged him to think again “and to put Nigerians first and the long term interest of our country, himself having been a victim of dictatorship because whatever foundation he lays today, his successors shall build on them”.
