The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of its planned nationwide protest over insecurity.
President Tinubu engaged the leadership of the labour union in a last-minute effort to persuade them to suspend the action scheduled for today.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, led the delegation to the meeting on Tuesday night at the State House in Abuja.
After the talks, Ajaero told journalists that the union would continue its internal deliberations on the outcome of the consultation before reaching a decision.
The meeting was held behind closed doors amid heightened public attention over the likelihood of mass protests and possible strike action.
Ajaero described the engagement as a consultation rather than a conclusive negotiation, stressing that labour’s leadership would first brief its internal organs before making any public announcement.
He said, “We came for a consultation with the President, and we are finished. We have to return to our meeting and then continue tomorrow. By tomorrow (Wednesday), we will have an outcome.”
Pressed on whether the NLC was still determined to proceed with the protest, Ajaero declined to commit either way, noting that decisions within the congress are collective and not dictated by individuals.
“If I’m insisting or not insisting, I will communicate that to you,” he said. “This is not an organisation ruled by one person. We will return to the drawing board, digest all that the President has said to us, and move forward from there.”
Also present was Imo State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who said sustained dialogue remained the preferred means of resolving issues between labour and the government.
“Consultation is ongoing,” he said. “We have been dialoguing, and as he (Ajaero) said, at the end of the day you will know what you are supposed to know and what you want to know.”
The NLC is expected to announce early on Wednesday whether the protest will proceed or be suspended.