TUC Rejects 5% Petroleum Tax, Threatens Nationwide Strike

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, demanding an immediate halt to the planned 5% tax on petroleum products or risk plunging the nation into a nationwide strike.

In a statement signed by its President General, Comrade (Engr.) Festus Osifo, the union described the move as “an act of economic wickedness against already overburdened Nigerians.”

He warned that workers and the masses would not fold their hands while the government imposed fresh hardship.

“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,” the TUC said.

The union stressed that government policies must focus on relief and economic recovery rather than compounding hardship.

“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 statement declared.

Osifo said the TUC would not hesitate to mobilize its members and the wider public if the administration ignored the warning.

“The TUC hereby urge the Federal Government to immediately stop this anti-people’s plan in its entirety. Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilize Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance. Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy.”

To prepare for possible confrontation, the union has directed its structures nationwide to be on alert.

“Accordingly, the TUC directs all its state councils, affiliates, and structures nationwide to remain vigilant, watchful and wait for further communication that may cumulate into a decisive action should government dare to further ignore the collective will of the people,” the statement noted.

The labour body also extended a rallying call to its allies, saying resistance to the fuel tax must cut across sectors.

“We also call on our allies, civil society organizations, 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.”

Osifo argued that the people had already endured enough economic shocks since subsidy removal, and any additional tax would amount to pushing them beyond survival limits.

He warned that if the government refused to back down, it should be prepared for a united resistance from citizens across the federation.

“Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the TUC President General declared.

The proposed 5% petroleum tax, first hinted at by the government as part of measures to boost revenue, has triggered widespread criticism from labour unions, civil society groups, and economic experts who insist it will worsen inflation and further erode the purchasing power of citizens.