Femi Fani-Kayode, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly criticised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for its decision to initiate a nationwide strike, which aims to cripple the country’s economy starting on Wednesday.

Recall that the NLC declared the forthcoming strike following the significant hike in petrol prices due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

Despite efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s government to address the public outcry, no positive resolution has been achieved thus far. It was learnt that the union even chose not to attend a meeting with the federal government on Sunday.

In response to the planned strike, Fani-Kayode released a statement via his Twitter handle on Monday, lambasting the NLC.

He questioned why the labour union remained silent when the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, introduced the controversial cashless policy earlier this year.

Fani-Kayode’s statement read, “The leadership of the NLC did not threaten to go on strike when the sadistic monster called Emefiele introduced his horrendous, callous, wicked, malevolent, barbaric, vicious, self-seeking, politically-motivated, unconstitutional, and illegal cash confiscation and money deprivation policy that resulted in the suffering, hunger, destruction, death, suicide, hardship, depression, frustration, madness, and despair of millions of our people.”

He further stated, “Instead, they are threatening to go on strike over the implementation of a well-thought-out and credible policy on oil subsidy, which the Nigerian people endorsed by voting for a President who promised to remove it. Although initially challenging, this policy will inevitably and eventually lead to the restoration and rejuvenation of our economy, ensuring the necessary funds and resources for massive infrastructural development.”

Fani-Kayode highlighted what he saw as the insincerity, double standards, and hypocrisy of the NLC’s leadership, portraying them as acting out a predetermined script under the influence of Peter Obi.

He concluded by asserting, “Whether the NLC likes it or not, the oil subsidy MUST and WILL be removed. It is the only way to save our country from the fiscal challenges, decay, and deterioration it has experienced over the past 15 years, and to put us back on the right track for national development.”