Subsidy Removal: Muslim, Christian Groups Ask Labour Unions to Shelve Planned Strike, Negotiate

A group under the umbrella of the Muslim League of Nigeria (TML) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other labour unions to shelve the planned nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday in protest of the pronouncement made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The group also urged Nigerians, especially the workers across the 36 states of the country, to consider the long-term merits of removing the fuel subsidy above the demerits.

According to the Muslim group, the payment of over 12 trillion naira on Subsidy to a few cabals under the guise of subsidy over the past 4 years is not only ridiculous but insensitive to economic realities.

“As a group of religious leaders, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure we always pray for the progress and development of our country as well as messages of peace and unity to our adherents.” The group stated:

In a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Muslim League of Nigeria (TML), Sheikh Musa El Yakoob and Mallam Mustapha Harris, the group said, “We can’t fold our arms and pretend all is well when we see impending tension and crisis brewing that are capable of destroying the existing peace.

“We are not unaware that Nigerians continue to writhe in agony over the sudden hike in the pump price of petrol and the soaring cost of goods and services due to the removal of fuel subsidy.”

Similarly, the Forum of Nigerian Christian Leaders (FNCL) also called on labour unions to consider the economic implications of embarking on a nationwide protest on Wednesday.

In the statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Pastor James Adeleke; Vice Chairman, Pastor Moses Onuoha; Secretary, Pastor Ezekiel Kanyip; and Asst. Secretary, Pastor Garba Dickson, the Christian group urged President Tinubu to convey enlarged stakeholders meeting with markers, entrepreneurs, labour unions, and other pressure groups to discuss and reach amicable resolutions on the matter.”

“We reliably gathered that the NLC insisted on the announced plans to down tools from Wednesday, if the pump price is not reversed, but are appealing to the unions to consider exhausting all tools of lobbying and negotiation to avoid the subsequent hardship the strike action will cost the country.

“While we appeal to President Tinubu to remain focused and committed to his campaign promises, we are calling on him to see the labour unions more as partners than enemies”.