The Citizens for Democratic Dividends in Nigeria on Wednesday faulted the claims by the Nigeria Labour Congress that the Federal Government betrayed its trust by increasing the price of fuel despite the agreement over the new minimum wage of N70,000, which was way below the initial proposal of the organised labour.
The group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ahmad Idris, noted that the NLC betrayed Nigerians first by accepting the minimum wage of N70,000 while turning a blind eye to the sufferings of millions of Nigerians.
The group noted that the Joe Ajaero-led NLC also refused to participate in the #EndBadGovernanceProtests, which took place nationwide.
Ajaero, in a statement, on Tuesday, accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying the union following the recent hike in fuel prices.
The NLC faulted the increase in Premium Motor Spirit’s pump price and described it as a “deep sense of betrayal.”
The NLC recalled that one reason for accepting the N70,000 national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased.
The Congress accused the government of reneging on its promises and implementing “ferocious right-wing market policies” that have brought Nigerians to their “all-time low”.
But the group in the statement said, “CDDN recalls that NLC and Ajaero openly recently betrayed the Nigerian people when they were desperate for their salary increase without taking cognisance of the plight of millions of ordinary people.
“Ajaero’s sudden outcry, after months of inaction, is not only sad but also a testament to his disregard for the true interests of the Nigerian people.
“When Nigerians were facing unbearable hardship and called for nationwide protests, Ajaero and the NLC turned a blind eye. They refused to participate in the protests, prioritizing their minimum wage agreement over the suffering of millions of Nigerians.
“Now, faced with accusations of treason and alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the government, Ajaero seeks to drag the NLC and the Nigerian people into his personal legal battles. This is a clear attempt to use the labour movement as a shield to escape justice.”
