The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to the federal government, demanding an immediate halt to any planned increase in electricity tariffs. The union vowed to lead a mass resistance against what it described as an unjustified economic burden on Nigerian workers and the general public.
In a communiqué released at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, over the weekend, the NLC also threatened to shut down telecommunications operations if service providers fail to implement the agreed 35% tariff adjustment instead of the 50% initially proposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The communiqué, signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, condemned the ongoing reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to migrate customers from lower tariff bands to Band A under the pretext of service improvement.
“The systematic exploitation sanctioned by the Ministry of Power is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and the Nigerian populace,” the union stated, adding that any attempt to impose further electricity tariff hikes would trigger a nationwide protest.
On the issue of telecommunications tariffs, the NLC reiterated its demand for strict adherence to the February 21, 2025, agreement, which reduced the proposed hike from 50% to 35%. The union warned that failure to implement this agreement by March 1, 2025, would compel it to take immediate enforcement action.
Addressing concerns about the Labour Party, which the NLC helped establish, the union expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s current state, describing its activities as opaque and misaligned with its founding principles. NEC directed the National Administrative Council (NAC) to explore rebranding, mergers, or coalitions to reclaim the party and restore its ideological foundation.
“The NLC remains committed to ensuring that the Labour Party serves as a true vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers and the oppressed masses,” the communiqué stated.
Reaffirming its stance against economic exploitation, the NLC urged all affiliates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to stay vigilant and ready for mass action against policies that undermine the welfare of Nigerian citizens.
“No society can develop sustainably under a regime of corporate plunder and neoliberal enslavement,” the union declared, calling for a fair and equitable economic system that prioritizes the well-being of the masses over the interests of a privileged few.
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