President Bola Tinubu met with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders late Tuesday night in a bid to stop the union’s planned nationwide protest over the country’s deteriorating security situation.
The emergency meeting at the State House in Abuja kicked off around 11:27pm, just hours before the protest was scheduled to begin on December 17.
NLC President Joe Ajaero led the labour delegation, alongside Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Labour Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The NLC had announced the protest last week in response to what it called Nigeria’s “degenerating security situation.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the union also raised alarm over an alleged plot by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” to hijack and violently disrupt the demonstration.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ajaero said the union would reconsider its position after reviewing the president’s proposals.
He made it clear no final decision had been reached.
“We came for consultation with the president, and we have finished,” Ajaero said.
“Now we have to go back to our meeting and continue tomorrow. By tomorrow, you will get the outcome.
Whether we are insisting on the protest or not, I will communicate it to you. This is not an organisation ruled by one person.”
He added that the NLC leadership would hold further talks with state governors before making a final call on Wednesday.
“We will go back to the drawing board, digest all that Mr President said, and move forward from there,” he said.
Governor Uzodimma described the meeting as productive and assured Nigerians that more information would be shared soon.
“Consultation is ongoing; we were dialoguing,” he said. “At the end of the day, Nigerians will know what they need to know.
We are all here to serve the country, labour, government, and the governed. Everyone is working in service to the nation.”
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