Posted on: 04:49 Wed, 18 May 2016



Shehu Sani, senator representing
Kaduna central, has thrown his
weight behind the organised labour
who are protesting hike in fuel
price and the removal of fuel
subsidy by the Federal Government.

He maintained that the increase in
pump price of petrol was not in the
interest of the masses, adding that
Nigerians must appreciate the
efforts of labour leaders and for
“contributions to the realisation of
political change in Nigeria”.

“Increase in pump price of
petroleum products does nothing
other than add to the suffering of
Nigerians but those in support of it
have the constitutional rights to
revere their chains,” he said in a
statement.

“Unjust policies must not be
beclouded by political interests and
political convenience. Campaign of
calumny and blackmail against the
NLC and Labour leaders simply for
speaking out and standing up for
their traditional constituents must
stop.

“We joined and applauded the NLC
for leading a mass protest against
increase in pump prices of
petroleum products in the past. It’s
hypocritical to condemn them now
for their principled stand on same
issue. Our quests for justice and
equity must not depend upon the
Government or persons in power
but must depend upon the matters
of principles at hand.

“The cloud of intimidation and
blackmail against people for
expressing their objections must
end. We are now in a state
whereby dissent is equated to
disloyalty.

“We must learn to tolerate views
and positions different from our
own no matter how unpopular. If
we must all agree on all issues at all
times, democracy couldn’t have
been ‘invented’. Democracy
guarantees every citizen the
fundamental right to free speech
and to objection and this must be
respected.

“It’s imperative for our people to
understand that the political class
define and view social justice in the
colours of their personal interest.

“Those who stood against increase
in price of petroleum products
yesterday and stood for it today
have betrayed the very principle
which they claimed to represent.

“If for political convenience we
choose to divide or destroy the
Labour unions today, we will be
harming the very organ that stands
as the guardian of democracy.”