After NSA’s intervention, organised labour suspends strike

The Joint National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, have suspended the ongoing strike over the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, among other pending issues.

The strike was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.

Recall that the Federal Government had invited leaders of the NLC and the TUC for a meeting over the ongoing nationwide strike.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the meeting was at the instance of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Mr Ribadu had earlier issued a statement appealing to the organized labour to suspend the strike.

He said those who assaulted the NLC President Joe Ajaero had been arrested and undergoing investigation.

The meeting has in attendance, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

On the other hand, the organized labour delegation was led by TUC President, Festus Osifo, NLC Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja and other labour leaders.

Releasing a statement after the meeting, the labour unions said a resolution was reached to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike.

According to the statement, the suspension was intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met crucial demands to address the distressing abduction and brutalization of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and others.

“These incidents occurred at the hands of the Police and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s thugs in Owerri, Imo state, on the 1st day of November, 2023.

“An apology was tendered on behalf of the government by The NSA, who promised to coordinate the investigation.

“Some of the perpetrators have been arrested, and we were given High assurances that all others will be fished out and prosecuted,” the statement noted.

“High-powered investigation is currently being carried out and the leadership of the labour centers will be briefed continuously as progress is being,made,” said the statement jointly signed on Wednesday evening by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro.