Given the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies, Governor Uba Sani has urged Nigerians to be understanding and supportive of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Thursday, Governor Sani urged Nigerians to be patient with the government as it implements measures to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. He said that the President and governors are working together to develop a plan to reduce the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
“I agree, there was a fuel subsidy but because of the level of corruption involved, it has never moved Nigeria forward and of course, in fighting corruption, you have to believe that corruption will fight you back.”
“I am going to urge the Nigerian Labour Congress, TUC, and all other trade union leaders to give President Asiwaju a bit of time; he has good plans, and we, the governors, have good plans for everyone. So, we have to be very careful in the way we approach these issues so that we don’t make promises that we can’t fulfill,” he said.
Governor Sani said that the NLC, TUC, and all labor unions are working closely with the government to address the challenges facing the nation.
“We, as the governor, have been taken by the level unions at the state levels. Mr. President is someone who believes in making sure he carries everyone along.”
“The approach here is to look at this issue from a bigger picture and that is what President Asiwaju is doing, and I have no doubt in my mind,” he said.
The governor also said that the most vulnerable and underrepresented people in society should have a say in how labor agreements are negotiated.
“When we are looking at how we solve this problem of fuel subsidy and how it affects the economy of the people generally, we have to talk about people that can be on the table.
“I am talking about people that are vulnerable, underserved, the market women, the farmers, people living with disabilities – they are also affected; they go to the same markets; they use the same transportation; and they constitute about 90 percent of the population,” he stated.
Governor Sani said that we need to think about the needs of all Nigerians to solve this problem. Earlier on Thursday, the National Economic Council (NEC) called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to cancel their planned strike.