The Organised Labour has warned that the latest hike in the pump price of petrol is pushing Nigerians to the limit.

It also warned the Federal government against what it described as a surprised and unexpected reaction of the people to the frequent hike in the price of the product.

Labour equally advised the government to be wary of the silence of Nigerians in the midst of excruciating hardship and misery being inflicted on them, saying even a goat can bite when pushed to the wall.

In the same vein, an employer group – Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employer’s Federation (CANMPEF) – said the petrol price increases, occasioned by subsidy removal, has led to an increase in transportation/logistics, production costs, the decline in household income and purchasing power.

Labour’s warning came on a day the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said its members wait for days to load petrol from Dangote Refinery in Lagos, despite paying N40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

It also said Nigerians can pay less for the product if marketers are allowed to buy directly from the refinery.

One of the labour leaders, who attended the October 16 meeting with the Federal government at the office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), reportedly said that government officials are gradually pushing the masses to revolt against the establishment.

He said: “We had thought that the Federal government will halt the incessant increase in the pump price of petrol after our October 16 meeting, where we made the government representatives, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation understand the level of frustration, hunger, misery and general restiveness across the country.

‘’Sincerely, we thought the government would give the people a breathing space and suspend the increases. The government is testing the patience of Nigerians. I can tell you that government is pushing the citizens to a boiling point.

“This latest increase of Tuesday, October 29 is one increase too many and a bitter pill to swallow. The increases are pushing the citizens to the limit.

“Government should not be surprised if the people of Nigeria decide to react in an unexpected way that will shock those in government. The people are really angry, frustrated, hopeless and are moving to a point where they may vent their anger in an unusual way that may be difficult to curtail.

‘’You cannot continue to flog a child and tell him not to cry. Hunger is everywhere, apart from the people in power or their friends and relations.

“The frustration and suffering in the country were also highlighted a few days ago during the meeting of the 19 Northern governors, alongside traditional rulers, among others. Across the country, people are just waiting for something to ignite the fire.

“Increasingly, the government is providing the fuel that will ignite the fire. What is probably left is someone to light the matches. We (Labour) have been urging the government to jettison the anti-people policies and lessen the pain, suffering, hunger, poverty and frustration to no avail.

“We have been cautious, thinking the government will allow common sense, empathy and the reality of the mass suffering of the citizens to drive its actions and inactions. Unfortunately, the reverse has been the case. It is getting to the time when the bubble will burst. Even a goat can bite when pushed to the wall.

“Today, the nation’s macro-economic indices are all heading down south without any letting.

Electricity tariffs have gone up, making power almost inaccessible to a greater number of our citizens.

“Petrol prices have gone through the roof and are nearly impossible for an average Nigerian to afford.

Transportation has become difficult, leading to levels of food scarcity and hunger never seen in the country before now.

‘’That unfortunately, has become our lot and that has become what majority of Nigerians look up to us to ameliorate.

“We need your unity and your strength if we are to creatively engage these forces and make governance work for the greater number of workers and people. As it is today, our choices are very limited. It is either we find a way to collectively overcome the forces that are bent on keeping us down as a people or we completely surrender to them and wallow in hopelessness.

“The forces of neo-liberalism must be challenged and the trade union movement remains the only viable force in Nigeria and in the world that can creatively engage it and mitigate its stranglehold on our nation.

“We must offer strong counterpoise to their prebendal logic and proffer newer arguments to triumph over their quest for profit at the detriment of the social will. It is only by remaining strong and united that we can hope to achieve that.

“It is sad but we cannot afford to keep our public refineries shut while still importing refined petroleum products. We demand a review of our salaries instead of its eroded values. We must together demand the re-commissioning of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in keeping with the agreement we had with the Federal Government on October 15, 2023.”

Employers’ group laments

Speaking in a similar vein, the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employer’s Federation (CANMPEF), an employer group, said the petrol price increases occasioned by subsidy removal had led to an increase in transportation/logistics and production costs and a decline in household income and purchasing power.

Addressing members and guests at the 45th Annual General Meeting, AGM, of CANMPEF in Lagos yesterday, the President of the employers’ federation, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, lamented: “Following the liberalization of the foreign exchange (FX) market, PMS importers are embattled with looming scarcity and sourcing challenges of FX which continues to increase the selling cost of PMS.

‘’The price adjustments led to an increase in transportation/logistics, production costs, decline in household income and purchasing power.

“There is optimism surrounding the possibility of an energy transition that will reduce the industry’s dependence on expensive diesel and PMS. However, significant investments are required to make renewable energy viable for manufacturing operations.’’

According to him, the spillover of the increases in the petrol price, and floating of the naira has worsened the crises facing the manufacturing sector of the nation’s economy.

“For the manufacturing sector to reach its full potential, government’s intervention is critical. If priority attention is given to manufacturing as a strategic value-adding sector, capable of driving economic transformation, then the country can earn its position among industrialized nations.

“To unlock the potential of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, the government must commit to the following investments: History has shown that protectionist policies can have a profound impact on local industries.

“A notable example is Nigeria’s 2007 cement policy, which restricted imports by companies without local manufacturing investments.

“In just 15 years following the policy, cement production in Nigeria grew from 7 million metric tonnes to over 60 million metric tonnes per annum. Expanding such policies to sectors like agriculture, petrochemicals, basic chemicals, electronics, and tools manufacturing could set Nigeria on the path to becoming an industrial giant.

“Declare a state of emergency in the manufacturing sector: The sector requires immediate attention, and this can be achieved through policies that promote growth, investment, and innovation. A clear declaration of urgency by the government would demonstrate its commitment to revitalizing the sector.

“Subsidise consumption through manufacturing: By offering tax reliefs and removing tariffs on key agricultural and manufacturing inputs, the government can reduce operational costs and encourage growth.

“These subsidies will also have a profound impact on job creation, especially for Nigeria’s youth, who will be gainfully employed in productive industries. The social and security benefits of such a move are immeasurable and far reaching.

“Create a favorable business environment: Ensuring ease of doing business is essential for long-term sustainability in the manufacturing sector. This requires a combination of administrative and legal reforms to eradicate bureaucratic barriers and other inefficiencies that hinder industrial growth.”

The Rivers State government, on Wednesday, said the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which ordered the cessation of local government allocations, was anticipated due to various developments during the proceedings.

The Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson, highlighted signs that led to the prediction, noting: “When the trial Judge refused to add the 23 Council Chairmen as parties, declined the State’s request to change its lawyer, and overruled our jurisdiction objection, it was evident,” he stated.

Johnson assured the public that the state had appealed the decision, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling.

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) condemned the judgment, warning of the severe social impact on Rivers State citizens.

The President MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, called the ruling “unjust and genocidal”, emphasizing that cutting off a community’s economic lifeline is harmful and potentially volatile, as it pushes people to a breaking point.

Nsuke added that Rivers State’s economic and political importance to Nigeria’s stability should not be undermined, advocating for respect of ongoing appellate procedures.

“Suppressing Rivers State could have far-reaching consequences on the stability of Nigeria,” Nsuke stated, urging restraint from enforcement while appeals remain pending.

Additionally, Chief Joseph Ambakaderimom, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Niger Delta oil and gas-producing communities, supported a lawful approach, remarking that only a superior court can alter the judgment.

He advised patience, trusting the Rivers State Government to follow proper legal channels.

Youths, under the aegis of Ondo Youth League, are protesting against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, requesting the INEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, to redeploy her.

The protest, which is in its second day, according to a report by the Coordinator of the group, Comrade Ayodeji Adeyemi, is aimed at persuading the INEC chairman to remove Mrs Babalola so as to guarantee a credible election as the off circle governorship election in the state draws closer.

The report reads:

The Ondo Youth League’s protest for a credible and transparent election has entered its second day today, with the group calling for the redeployment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola.

This move is aimed at ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in the upcoming governorship election, scheduled to hold on November 16, 2024.

The league’s demands highlight concerns about potential biases and manipulation that could compromise the election’s outcome. By advocating for the REC’s redeployment, they seek to prevent any undue influence and guarantee a level playing field for all candidates and all parties in the Election.

In their last outing, the INEC through its representatives, Major General A.B Alkali, promised the protesting group that the commission will deliberate on the issue and revert to the youths.

The INEC has also made several commitments to delivering credible elections in Ondo State, with measures such as publishing particulars of nominated candidates and implementing reforms to enhance transparency.

However, the Ondo Youth League’s protest serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and civic engagement to safeguard democracy.

It’s worth noting that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has emphasized the importance of credible elections, stating that the commission is committed to ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and transparent. The league’s efforts totally aligned with this goal, thereby promoting accountability and integrity in the electoral process.

The outcome of this protest will be crucial in shaping the electoral landscape of Ondo State. Will the INEC respond to the league’s demands, and what implications will this have on the outcome of the coming election?