President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a last-minute engagement aimed at dousing tensions ahead of the union’s proposed nationwide protest over rising insecurity.
The closed-door meeting, which stretched into the night, came amid mounting public anxiety and just 24 hours before the NLC’s scheduled mass action on December 17.
Those present at the talks included the 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, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The labour delegation was led by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Although no official statement was issued at the end of the meeting, credible sources indicated that discussions centred on the worsening security situation across the country and efforts by the Federal Government to persuade organised labour to reconsider the planned protest.
The engagement signals a tactical move by the Presidency to manage growing discontent and stabilise the industrial climate, particularly as labour leaders have repeatedly linked insecurity to declining living conditions and economic hardship.
Earlier in the week, the NLC had adopted a hardline position, insisting there would be “no going back” on the nationwide protest, a stance that heightened pressure on the Federal Government to respond swiftly to citizens’ grievances.
