The Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to protest the increase in the price of petrol announced by the Federal Government on Wednesday.
The political party said the labour unions should go beyond issuing press statements as that had proved to be ineffective with the current government.
The call was made in a statement issued by the Acting National Chairperson, Abiodun Bamigboye, and the National Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, on Wednesday.
Condemning the price increase, SPN said it would continue to make life difficult for Nigerians.
The statement reads in part:
“The recent increase in Ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from N138.62 per litre to N151.56 per litre is one increase too many. This increase which is coming after another increase just about 2 months ago is deepening the unaffordability of fuel price. Especially at a time when electricity tariff has also been hiked and other anti-poor policies imposed on Nigerians, this fuel increase will also negatively impact transport cost, food cost and other consumables thus further compounding the rising excruciating poverty in the country.
“The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) strongly condemns this increase and demands its immediate and unconditional reversal pre-May 2020 price. But condemnation in words alone will not be enough especially for an obdurately anti-poor capitalist regime which has made it clear to everyone that it is desperate at offloading economic catastrophe on the head of working class and poor Nigerians. We, therefore, call on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to simply issue statements as it has been doing for months now condemning in strong terms one anti-poor government policies to another yet without taking any serious action to mobilise to fight back thus effectively allowing the capitalist ruling elite to condemn the broad masses to suffering in silence while disarming the advanced layers of the working class and youth who are rearing to fight back but need bold and militant leadership.
“The past few years have shown that words are useless with the Buhari government. The regime is neither moved by reason nor logic of argument. Now is the time to confront this rampaging anti-poor capitalist Buhari All Progressive Congress (APC) regime with the mighty strength of the working people of this country.
“The SPN therefore demands of the NLC and TUC nothing less than a plan of struggle involving mass rallies across the country leading to a one-day general strike and mass protest. Such an action which must be well mobilised for from below cannot be against the increase in fuel price alone.
“It must also be used to oppose and demand reversal of increase in electricity tariff, full implementation of N30, 000 national minimum wage across the board, meeting of demands of ASUU, doctors, aviation workers and other categories of workers who have declared labour dispute, end to casualization and indecent workplace practices as well as the reversal of all anti-poor capitalist policies.
“Only such a declaration backed with a plan of struggle can revive the image of the labour movement in the eyes of the working masses of Nigeria who in the midst of mounting poverty, unemployment and destitution have grown tired of the penchant of labour leaders to “bark without biting.””
