Tinubu holds late-night parley with NLC over insecurity protest

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night met with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a last-ditch effort to avert the nationwide protest planned by the union over worsening insecurity across the country.

The meeting, held at the State House, Abuja, commenced at about 11:27pm. In attendance were NLC President Joe Ajaero; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum; Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State; Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

The NLC had last week announced a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, citing what it described as a “degenerating security situation” nationwide. On Tuesday evening, the congress also raised the alarm over an alleged plot by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” to infiltrate and violently disrupt the protest.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Ajaero said the labour union would review the president’s submissions before taking a final decision on the protest.

According to him, the engagement with the president was purely consultative, stressing that the congress would deliberate internally and announce its decision on Wednesday.

“We came for consultation with the president, and we have concluded the discussion. We will return to our meeting and continue tomorrow. By tomorrow, you will get the outcome,” Ajaero said.

He added that the NLC leadership would also hold a dedicated session with governors before deciding its next steps.

“This is not an organisation that one person rules. After our meeting with labour leaders and the governors’ forum, we will go back to the drawing board, digest all that Mr President said to us and move forward from there,” he said.

Ajaero did not state whether the planned protest had been suspended or cancelled.

Also speaking, Governor Uzodimma described the engagement as productive, assuring Nigerians that the outcome of the consultations would soon be made public.

“Consultation is ongoing. We were dialoguing, and at the end of the day, Nigerians will know what they are supposed to know,” he said.

“We are all here to serve the country — labour, government and the governed.”

The Minister of Labour and Employment confirmed that the NLC leadership was granted the audience it requested with the president as part of efforts to address the issues raised by the union.