1. Talks between the Federal Government and organised labour over the removal of fuel subsidy ended in a deadlock on Wednesday as they failed to reach a consensus following the hike in petrol pump prices to over N700 from N195 per litre by oil marketers.

2. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has confirmed it adjusted pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, known better as petrol across the country. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Deen Muhammad, the national oil company explained that the adjusted pump price was in line with “current market realities”.

3. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has taken over the baton of leadership from Kebbi Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu as the new Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. It was gathered that Uzodinma was elected via consensus during a strategic meeting of the PGF on Wednesday.

4. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Wednesday warned petroleum marketers, as well as owners of fuel stations in the state against hoarding Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol. According to Akeredolu, the warning became imperative after long queues surfaced at filling stations across the state, particularly in Akure, the state capital.

5. President Bola Tinubu, Wednesday said Nigeria is open for business and constructive partnerships. The President spoke while hosting President XI Jinping of China’s Special Envoy, Peng Qinghua, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

6. Senators Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South) and Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo Central) Wednesday resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both senators, who announced their resignation during plenary, did not announce the party they will defect to.

7. Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on Wednesday defended subsidy removal, saying all presidential candidates promised to end the policy during their campaigns. Uzodinma, also said that governors elected on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform endorsed the decision to remove the subsidy.

Nigerian civil servants under the employment of the Federal Government will experience a delay in the payment of May 2023 salaries, according to a report by The PUNCH.

The meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel subsidy removal has ended without a consensus.

The meeting began around 4pm on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa.

Representatives of the Federal Government, including Dele Alake, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu; and the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari.

Others government officials present were the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The Organised Labour was represented by the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero; and the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo.

After several hours of meeting with the Federal Government, the NLC demanded that the Federal Government return to status quo by reversing the price of fuel before resuming negotiations with the NLC.

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The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, who criticised the removal of subsidy stated that statusquo returns before any formal engagement with the NLC to protect the Nigerian workforce and proffer additional solutions.

The NLC insisted that the Federal Government did not enter into any conversation even on palliative measures for Nigerians, hence the rejection of the latest announcement.

The union said it had decided to reconvene with its members to determine the next line of action.

Conversely, Alake described the meeting as robust, adding that talks would continue. He expressed hope that the parties would reach a reasonable conclusion at its next adjourned meeting.

‘Fuel Subsidy Is Gone’
On Monday during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said. His government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and House Of Representatives have since backed Tinubu’s decision.

However, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) argued the President could not unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal, saying there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.

Fuel queues have since resurfaced across the country since the presidential pronouncement as Nigerians forage for the premium product.

‘Tears And Sorrow’
Ajaero, on Tuesday, kicked against Tinubu’s announcement confirming the removal of fuel subsidy.

The NLC president described the development as not well planned, saying Nigerians feel betrayed by the move.

“By his insensitive decision, President Tinubu on his inauguration day brought tears and sorrow to millions of Nigerians instead of hope. He equally devalued the quality of their lives by over 300 per cent and counting,” he said in a statement.