We stand by our statement-NLC reacts to Tinubus’s aide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has responded to comments made by Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who challenged claims made by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.

Ajaero had in a statement on Tuesday, accused Tinubu of misleading labour leaders by increasing petrol prices contrary to their initial agreement during minimum wage negotiations.

But, Abdulaziz taking to his X handle, claimed that no such offer was made and accused Ajaero of engaging in “dirty politics” with the emotions of Nigerians.

Reacting, NLC Spokesperson, Benson Upah in a statement on Wednesday, insisted that the Congress stands by its earlier statement.

He wrote: “I sat through the two meetings President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had with Labour leaders on minimum. At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange of fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians”. We find amusing the denial of Abdulaziz. We have since asked ourselves if he is suffering from selective amnesia or attention span deficit. However, not satisfied with his dubious denial, he elected to take a side dig at Comrade Joe Ajaero as “…once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians”.

Whatever the matter is with Abdulaziz, we stand by our statement. And if Abdulaziz was at those meetings as he claimed, he should be courageous enough to let the world know whether the President gave the labour leaders one hour to meet and resolve to either accept and allow increase or accept N62,000. Labour leaders instead chose to meet outside the Villa and report in a week. When they came back, they were blunt and rejected the offer.

As for Abdulaziz’s side-dig, he should stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians as they do not need Comrade Joe Ajaero to know they have been taken for a ride and that life has never been this mean, all due to the policies of the government.

We also find it necessary to let Abdulaziz and those who sent him know that Nigerians are entitled to a decent, respectable life free from harassment, intimidation and starvation.

Government may have all the ultimate weapons of coercion, true power resides with the people. Finally, we are also acutely conscious of the fact that falsehood does not live forever.”