The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will consult its internal organs before taking a final decision on its planned nationwide protest, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the discussions were consultative and that the union would carefully review the President’s assurances before making any announcement.
According to Ajaero, the labour leaders would return to their meetings to deliberate further, with a clear outcome expected later on Wednesday.
“We came for consultation with the President and we are finished. We now have to go back to our meeting and continue tomorrow. By tomorrow, we will get the outcome,” he said.
When asked whether the planned protest would still go ahead, Ajaero explained that the decision would not be taken unilaterally.
“This is not an organisation that one person rules. We will go back to the drawing board, digest all that Mr President told us, and then move forward from there,” he stated.
He added that the NLC’s National Executive Council and state councils would weigh the issues raised during the meeting before a final position is communicated.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, who was also present at the meeting, described the engagement as ongoing dialogue.
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“Consultation is going on. At the end of the day, you will know what you are supposed to know,” Uzodimma said, stressing that all parties were working in the interest of the nation.
The Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, also confirmed the meeting, noting that the NLC leaders had requested to see the President.
She said the union leaders were pleased with the engagement and reassured that the government was making efforts to stabilise the economy.
The meeting comes amid continued consultations by organised labour over a possible nationwide strike to protest economic hardship and unresolved wage-related demands.
