The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s planned five per cent tax on petroleum products, warning of a nationwide strike if the policy is not scrapped.
The union describes the tax as “economic wickedness” that would worsen the suffering of Nigerians, cripple businesses, and push millions deeper into poverty.
The tax policy, part of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, aimed to boost revenue but has sparked debate among citizens, businesses, and policy analysts.
Critics argued it would increase the pump price of petrol, exacerbating economic hardship.
TUC President General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N.A. Toro, stated that the government cannot continue to use Nigerians as “sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments.”
They emphasised that workers and citizens were still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and a collapsing naira.
“Let it be clear: workers and citizens are still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and a collapsing naira.
”To now introduce another levy on petroleum products is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty, ” they said.
The union warned that implementing the tax would increase hardship for Nigerians already struggling with economic challenges as well as adversely affect businesses, particularly in the transportation sector.
– *Push Millions into Poverty*: Exacerbate poverty levels, further impoverishing citizens.
The TUC therefore called on State councils to remain vigilant and prepared for decisive action.
“We also call on our allies, civil society organisations, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, faith leaders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us in this struggle.
“Together, we must resist policies that seek to further impoverish citizens and mortgage our future. Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the TUC said.
The union also urged civil society groups, professional bodies, student unions, faith leaders, and market associations to join in resisting the policy.
“We also call on our allies, civil society organisations, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, faith leaders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us in this struggle.
“Together, we must resist policies that seek to further impoverish citizens and mortgage our future. Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the TUC added.
They warned that strike action was “firmly on the table” if the government ignores its warning and implements the policy.
”The government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments. Instead of offering relief, jobs, and solutions, it has chosen to further squeeze citizens dry.
”This is unacceptable!” the TUC said in a statement signed by its President General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N. A. Toro.
”The TUC demanded a stop to “this anti-people’s plan in its entirety,” warning that it would mobilise workers and the masses for a “nationwide resistance” if the government failed to do so.
“Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilise Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance.
”Strike action is firmly on the table if the government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” it warned.
