President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, intensifying efforts to avert a planned nationwide protest over worsening insecurity.
The meeting took place at the State House and began at about 11:27pm, underscoring the urgency surrounding the proposed demonstration.
Those in attendance included Joe Ajaero, NLC president; Hope Uzodimma, Imo State governor and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum; Nasir Idris, Kebbi State governor; Monday Okpebholo, Edo State governor; and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, minister of labour and employment.
Last week, the NLC announced plans for a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, citing what it described as a “degenerating security situation” across Nigeria.
Earlier on Tuesday, the congress also raised concerns about an alleged plot by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” to infiltrate and violently disrupt the planned protest.
Labour to Review Tinubu’s Input
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Ajaero said the labour union would review the president’s submissions before taking a final decision.
“We came for consultation with the president, and we have finished,” he said. “We have to go back to our meeting and then continue tomorrow. By tomorrow you will get the outcome.”
He explained that the engagement was consultative and did not amount to a suspension or cancellation of the planned protest.
“It is not an organisation that one person rules,” Ajaero added. “After a meeting of labour and the governors’ forum, we will digest all that Mr President said and move forward from there.”
The NLC president said the congress would reconvene internally and communicate its final position later on Wednesday.
Governors Describe Talks as Productive
Uzodimma described the meeting as constructive, assuring Nigerians that clarity would soon emerge.
“Consultation is going on; we were dialoguing,” he said. “At the end of the day, you will know what you are supposed to know.”
He stressed that all parties shared a responsibility to act in the national interest.
“We are here to serve the country – the labour, the government and the governed,” Uzodimma said. “We are all working in service to the nation.”
The minister of labour and employment also confirmed that the NLC leadership had been granted the audience it requested with the president.
As of ealy this Wednesday morning, the NLC had not formally announced whether the planned nationwide protest would proceed or be called off.