Abeokuta, the ancient city of Ogun State, came alive recently as stakeholders converged at the historic Iwe Iroyin Press Centre for the 1st Quadrennial and 9th National Delegates Conference of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA).
The event brought together labour leaders, activists, and workers, creating a platform to openly challenge government policies they say are deepening the suffering of Nigerian workers and the masses.
PERESSA President, Rufus Olusesan — re-elected unopposed — condemned what he described as the federal government’s “anti-poor stance.” He decried rising insecurity, soaring inflation, joblessness, and high electricity tariffs, warning that families and businesses are being pushed into despair.
He specifically criticised the proposed 5% fuel tax under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. With fuel prices already soaring from ₦197 to nearly ₦1,000 per litre since subsidy removal in 2023, Olusesan argued that an additional ₦50 per litre would deepen the survival crisis for millions.
He dismissed denials by the Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, describing government assurances as “deceptive rhetoric” designed to pacify citizens while harsh policies are prepared behind closed doors.
On the ₦70,000 minimum wage, Olusesan argued that inflation, naira devaluation, and corruption have already eroded its value. He called it hypocritical for politicians who enjoy “obscene salaries and perks” to expect doctors, lecturers, and other workers to survive on “slave wages.”
PERESSA also rejected the newly approved National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) 2025, warning that it threatens to criminalise strikes, weaken unions, and entrench poverty wages under the guise of “harmonious industrial relations.”
Supporting this stance, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Deputy General Secretary, Ismail Bello, urged unity among workers against anti-labour employers. He emphasised that no employer has the right to dictate union choices for workers, insisting: “We must stand against anyone who tries to deny us our right to freedom of association.”
For many at the conference, the gathering was more than just resolutions — it was a rallying cry for dignity, fair wages, and workers’ rights in Nigeria.
