Be cautious of Kachikwu on Subsidy, NLC Warns Buhari

By Gbenga Ogundare

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari to be mindful of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu over the dicey issue of subsidy removal.
This is as it said unequivocally that Kachukwu represents the same forces that misled past governments on the issue of subsidy removal and deregulation of the downstream operations of the petroleum industry.
The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who gave the warning on Wednesday on the occasion of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the death of Comrade Chima Ubani in Abuja, said there is need for a sober reflection on the state of the country and its democracy.
While noting that Ubani died on his way back from a rally against increase in the price of petroleum products by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, Wabba said dying in action for the freedom of others is the noblest death.
He further said that Ubani, who played a very critical part in the fight against increase in the price of petroleum products, touched the lives of millions of Nigerians through his fearless and courageous struggle for a just and egalitarian society.
The NLC President called for a renewed determination to enthrone accountability by the political class, adding that there is hardly any alternative to democracy in modern times. He, however, said that the quality of democracy must be questioned.
While pointing out the need to ensure the application of maximum pressure on government, Wabba said the NLC will work with like-minded organisations to preserve the heroics memories and legacies of Ubani.
In his remarks, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, described Ubani as a fighter that was not a tribal jingoist, but an activist that stood for the ordinary people regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.
Falana further said that in honour of Ubani, a foundation should be put in place to cater for the needs of the families of comrades who dedicated their lives for the country.
Comrade Ubani, who died in September 2005, was a renowned student activist, pro-democracy campaigner and an ally of the Nigeria workers.