Ex PGF DG, Lukman accuses NLC of playing politics with fuel subsidy

<p>The former Director General of the progressives governors forum (PGF) Dr Salihu Lukman has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of politcising the issue relating to the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.</p>, <p>Lukman in a statement titled: “Silver Bullet Politics and Challenges of Democracy” urged the Mr Joe Ajaero led NLC to rise above the narrow sentiment of playing to the gallery on the issue of fuel subsidy removal.</p>, <p>Acknowledging that there are gaps in the proposals by government to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on the citizenry, he maintained that NLC posture on the issue was unacceptable and will not augur well for our democracy.</p>, <p>The former national vice chairman North West of the APC applauded President Asiwaju Tinubu for finding it compelling to address the nation given the difficulties Nigerians are facing since the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.</p>, <p>“If anything, this confirms that President Asiwaju Tinubu is not in denial and aspire to ensure that his government is responsive,” he added.</p>, <p>“Had President Asiwaju Tinubu denied that the withdrawal subsidy has brought hardship to Nigerians and failed proposed measures to address them, the claim that the national broadcast wasn’t the silver bullet Nigerians expected would be justified.</p>, <p>“Were the proposals contained in President Asiwaju Tinubu sufficient to mitigate all the hardships Nigerians are facing? May be not. If not, one would expect the NLC to go a step further to highlight what will be required.</p>, <p>“May be the four issues emphasised in the response of the NLC are the proposed additional issues. These are: repairing our refineries, unmasking those behind the subsidy fraud, not matching public promises with commitment on minimum wage, failure of Federal Government to increase salaries of workers, and promises of palliatives are empty.”</p>, <p>Continuing, he noted: “As argued in the past, part of the challenges of finding solutions to Nigeria’s problems, or silver bullet politics as NLC wou