The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday said President Bola Tinubu does not possess the authority to independently abolish subsidy payments on petroleum products within the country.
The TUC emphasized that the newly inaugurated President should exercise patience and allow for extensive dialogue, consultation, and engagement with stakeholders before making any decisions on this “delicate” matter.
The Congress highlighted numerous issues that must be amicably addressed and resolved prior to the President’s ability to make such a decision.
In a joint statement signed by TUC’s President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, they expressed, “Nigerian workers and the masses should not bear the brunt of the inefficiency of successive governments.”
During Tinubu’s inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Monday, he announced the end of the era of subsidy payments for fuel, citing the absence of a provision for fuel subsidy in the 2023 Budget and the lack of justifiability for such payments.
Tinubu emphasized that his administration would redirect funds towards infrastructure and other areas to bolster the economy.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has supported Tinubu’s stance on fuel subsidy removal.
Since the President’s pronouncement, fuel queues have reappeared across the country as Nigerians search for the essential product.
The TUC asserted that the President cannot unilaterally decide on subsidy removal, pointing out that the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari intentionally handed over the “sensitive issue” to the new government for a reason.