Fuel price hike: Why I abandoned Labour Congress–Oshiomhole

Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has offered explanations for aligning with the Fed¬eral Government against the Nigeria Labour Con¬gress (NLC) on the recent hike in fuel pump price. The governor said there was no other option left for government at this time.
He cited the division in the ranks of labour, as reason for turning his back on NLC, which he once served as national president.
Speaking to newsmen, shortly after presenting the position of government at the labour/govern¬ment parley in Abuja on Tuesday night, Oshiomhole urged labour to put their house in order.
“When I noticed that they were not together, I was concerned, I thought that in moments like this, we will put aside the small, small issues and deal with the bigger question which is the issue at hand, which is what the Nigerian people and, particularly, what Nigerian workers expect.
“All I can say at this point is that we must sustain efforts to get the two sides to recognize that. You know, as we say in the labour movement, united we stand, divided we fall and nobody benefits from dis¬unity.
“ It’s just unfortunate, but, I believe that they have much more to work together for, than to work apart. I know that will be resolved here,” he said.
The governor pointed out that the situation in 2012 was quite different from what obtains now. He also enjoined labour to admit the reality on ground and join government in finding solution to the cur¬rent economic crunch the nation is grappling with.
Oshiomhole said: “The point I will like to em¬phasis is, unlike 2012, we cannot have the situation where half of government budget is ‘deployed to pe¬troleum item’ to the extent that the Federation Ac¬count fund is being used in one way or the other in numbers N1.2 trillion. I think that people didn’t re¬ally seem to know when they can attack this issue… – The Sun.