President Bola Tinubu late Tuesday night met with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the State House in Abuja as part of efforts to forestall the union’s proposed nationwide protest over worsening insecurity across the country.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors shortly after 11:20pm, brought together NLC President Joe Ajaero; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The dialogue followed the NLC’s announcement of a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, prompted by what the union described as a continuous decline in the country’s security situation. Earlier on Tuesday, the labour centre had also warned of alleged plots by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” to infiltrate the protest and instigate violence.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ajaero said the NLC leadership would first examine the president’s explanations before taking any final decision. According to him, further internal meetings and consultations with state governors would be held to determine the union’s next steps.
He emphasised that the discussion with President Tinubu was purely consultative and did not result in any immediate resolution. Ajaero noted that the congress would conclude its deliberations and make its position public on Wednesday, December 17.
The NLC president declined to state whether the planned protest had been suspended or cancelled, stressing that such a decision could only emerge from collective agreement within the union.
“We came for consultations with the president, and we have concluded that aspect. We now need to return to our internal meetings and continue our discussions tomorrow. By then, you will hear our decision,” he said.
He added that the NLC is not run by one individual and that all decisions are taken collectively after careful consideration of all viewpoints and engagements.
Governor Uzodimma, who also spoke briefly, described the meeting as constructive and assured Nigerians that updates would be provided in due course.
“Consultations are ongoing. We were engaged in dialogue, and at the appropriate time, Nigerians will know the outcome,” he said, adding that all parties involved were committed to serving the nation’s interest.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment confirmed that the NLC leadership was granted the meeting at its request, noting that dialogue remains the preferred path in addressing national concerns.
The meeting comes amid a spike in attacks by bandits and terrorists on communities, places of worship and schools across the country in recent weeks, developments that led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security.
The big question now is if the NLC will proceed with or suspend its planned protest as consultations continue.
