In a press conference held yesterday in Abuja, Mallam Isa Yuguda, former Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum, provided assurance to the organized labor regarding President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to raising the national minimum wage and revitalizing the country’s dormant refineries.
Yuguda, accompanied by Dr. Nkem Okeke, the immediate-past deputy governor of Anambra State, and Akeem Akintayo, the National Coordinator of the APC Professionals Forum, defended Tinubu’s mention of the removal of fuel subsidy during his inaugural speech on May 29, stating that the President had done nothing wrong.
While addressing the media, the former Aviation Minister expressed his concern over the “knee-jerk reaction of oil marketers,” who resorted to hoarding fuel, causing hardship for Nigerians nationwide.
Yuguda emphasized that the APC Professionals Forum saw no issue with President Tinubu’s reminder about fuel subsidy removal but was taken aback by the subsequent strike threats issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
However, the forum commended the two labor unions for ultimately returning to the negotiation table and, subsequently, agreeing to suspend the planned nationwide strike.
Yuguda further stated, “From all indications, promises were made by the government side, led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, including measures that are likely to pave the way for a new national minimum wage, palliatives, and a framework for the ongoing overhaul of the nation’s refineries. Our message to Organized Labour is for them to trust Bola Ahmed Tinubu and trust the process.”
He reassured the labor unions that President Tinubu is a man of his word, highlighting his prior hints at reviewing workers’ salaries even before engaging in talks with the labor unions concerning fuel subsidy removal.
“We have an administration led by a pro-people President who will adhere to the terms of his Renewed Hope agenda. Therefore, the NLC, TUC, and the Nigerian people have no reason to doubt that these agreements will be upheld,” added Yuguda.
The former governor also drew attention to President Tinubu’s swift resolution of a health workers’ strike that commenced a few days before his May 25 inauguration. On the same day as the discussions on fuel subsidy, the President engaged in direct talks with the leadership of the Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) to address the issues at hand.
“These instances provide clear insight into the hands-on approach that President Tinubu brings to governance at the center,” stated Yuguda.
He urged Nigerians from all walks of life to exercise patience and support the President, even in the face of initial discomfort resulting from the fuel subsidy removal, assuring them that the impact would subside in the not-too-distant future.
As the nation looks forward to the implementation of the President’s agenda, it remains to be seen how the government and labor unions will navigate the challenges and deliver on their promises to uplift the welfare of Nigerian workers and revitalize the country’s refineries.
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