Minimum Wage: Tinubu's Aide Opens Up on FG Negotiation with NLC, Ajaero

• President Bola Tinubu has been distanced from the NLC allegation that he betrayed the union with the latest increment in fuel price
• Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a media aide to Tinubu, said he was at the two meetings Tinubu had with the labour during minimum wage negotiation
• According to the presidential aide, there was no time Tinubu made an exchange for a fuel price hike during negotiations

Presidential media aide Abdulaziz Abdulaziz has fired back at Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, accusing him of engaging in "dirty politics" over his claim that President Bola Tinubu reneged on a promise to keep fuel prices stable.

Abdulaziz's response came after Ajaero alleged that Tinubu had broken a pledge made during minimum wage negotiations with organized labour, sparking tensions among Nigerians.

He added that he was at the two meetings the president held with the union, and nothing like that was mentioned.

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NLC condemns fuel price increment

NLC had condemned President Tinubu over the recent fuel price hike, calling him a "betrayer."

The NLC vehemently denounced the government's clandestine hike in fuel prices, pointing out that a crucial condition for their acceptance of the N70,000 national minimum wage was a guarantee that fuel prices would not be increased.

However, the government has now reneged on this promise, implementing severe market policies that have driven Nigerians to the brink. Furthermore, the NLC has condemned the government's heavy-handed response to protests, including unjust arrests and detentions on trumped-up charges.

The labour union demanded a reversal of these actions, including the fuel price hike, crackdown on protesters, and encroachment on the Ministry of Labour and Employment's duties. They called for the government to uphold its commitments and prioritize the welfare of Nigerians.

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How the presidency reacted to NLC claim

In a swift response on Tuesday, September 3, Abdulaziz accused the labour leader of playing dirty politics, adding that the president never made such a promise to the union.

His tweet reads:

"I sat through the two meetings President @officialABAT had with Labour leaders on minimum wage. At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange for a fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians."

See the tweet here:

Anti-NNPC protesters exchange blow over money

Legit.ng recently reported an incident at the Abuja hotel that was marred by drama as protesters clashed over funds allegedly provided by their sponsors.

The Civil Society Network on Economic and Social Advancement had planned to stage a demonstration against NNPC Limited, citing the nation's fuel crisis as the reason.

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BREAKING: Dismay as TUC breaks silence on “sudden” fuel price hike, details surface

However, the group's members abandoned the protest, leading to a dispute over how to divide the money among themselves, which ultimately escalated into physical altercations.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng