In a dramatic, last-minute move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu convened a high-stakes meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) late on Tuesday night. The urgent talks were aimed at addressing the union's grave concerns over the nation's worsening security crisis, which had prompted the NLC to announce a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17.
Late-Night Crisis Talks at the State House
The closed-door session, which began at approximately 11:27 p.m., was held at the State House in Abuja. The meeting was not limited to the President and labour leaders; it also included key state governors and a federal minister, underscoring the seriousness with which the government viewed the impending industrial action.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, notable figures in attendance were:
- Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
- Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.
- Nasir Idris, the Governor of Kebbi State.
- Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State.
- Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
The NLC had declared the protest in response to what it termed a "degenerating security situation" across Nigeria. Adding to the tension, the union had earlier on Tuesday raised an alarm about alleged plots by unscrupulous agencies and political hirelings to infiltrate and violently disrupt the planned peaceful demonstration.
NLC to Review President's Submissions
Speaking to State House correspondents after the marathon meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero revealed that the union's leadership would now review the President's submissions before making a final decision on whether to proceed with the protest.
"We came for consultation with the president, and we have finished, so we have to go back to our meeting and then continue tomorrow. By tomorrow, you will get the outcome," Ajaero stated. He emphasized that the meeting was consultative and that no final decision had been taken at the State House. The labour leaders plan to reconvene, digest the President's points, and hold further consultations with governors before announcing their definitive position.
Governors, Minister Describe Productive Dialogue
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma also addressed the press, describing the engagement as productive. He assured Nigerians that updates would be provided at the appropriate time, stating that all parties were "working in service to the nation."
Similarly, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, confirmed that the NLC leadership had been granted the audience they requested with President Tinubu, facilitating the critical dialogue.
Broader Context: ASUU Strike Suspension
This high-level political engagement occurs against the backdrop of other resolved labour disputes. It was recently reported that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its two-week warning strike across public universities. ASUU President Chris Piwuna announced the suspension in October, warning that the union would not give further notice if the government failed to act on its demands.
The outcome of the NLC's internal deliberations is now eagerly awaited by a nation grappling with multifaceted security challenges. Whether the late-night presidential intervention will be enough to shelve the planned December 17 protest remains the pressing question on the minds of millions of Nigerians.
