PDP CHIEFTAIN APPEALS TO LABOUR TO SHELVE STRIKE

UGHELLI-Former Deputy National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Stephen Oru has appealed to labour and civil society to mellow down on the ongoing strike against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Oru in a statement, yesterday, said: 'Nigerians should be patient and stand by their President. They should know that President Goodluck Jonathan means well and took a hard but necessary decision in the current circumstance to avert a national disaster.

'The President on his part should recognise that he was elected to be run down by his own people and as a good leader of our great nation, develop thick skin in the face of all abuses at the moment. He should remain focused on the driver's seat and convey Nigeria to where she will proudly be among the 20 most developed countries by the year 2020.'

Oru, who also acted as National Secretary of PDP at a time, said 'Considering the gains that would come to Nigeria through the fuel subsidy removal, I appeal to labour, civil society and indeed every Nigerian to join hands with Mr. President and support fuel subsidy removal and a total deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

By FESTUS AHON  Samuel Oyadongha
'Let us borrow a leaf from Ghana, where despite the removal of fuel subsidy and the increase of per litre price of petrol, to equivalent of N175 on December 27, 2011 Ghana has remained calm and at peace as Ghanaians are hopeful that it would lead to their economic development.

'Let us also reconsider more of dialogue in our current situation, promote jaw instead of hard line war. Labour and civil society bodies have made their position known and their strong opposition is now headline news across the world. They should, therefore, have a rethink and give peace a chance by calling off the strike action,' he added.