The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has on Wednesday embarked on its planned nationwide protest over insecurity in the country despite its leaders’ meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
NPO Reported that Tinubu had on Tuesday evening invited the leaders of the union for a close-door meeting the the Joe Ajaero-led delegates of the NLC.
While the outcome of the meeting was not disclosed, Ajaero in his address to newsmen, declined to confirm whether the protest would proceed as scheduled.
The NLC President stressed that decisions of the NLC are taken collectively, not unilaterally.
“It is not an organisation that one person rules. Let’s go back now. You have a meeting of labour and the governors’ forum. We’ll go back to the drawing board, digest all that Mr President said to us, and move forward from there,” Ajaero said.
The union however appeared resolute on its decision as its members stormed states across the country in protest over insecurity.
In Abuja, the NLC members had converged at the union’s National Secretariat with Ajaero set to spearhead the protest.
Also joining the NLC President was human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
Videos and pictures shared on X showed some of the members with placards and banners with inscriptions calling for the end of insecurity in Nigeria.
Also joining protest were NLC members in Kogi State who, according to reports, marched peacefully from the Zenith Bank Junction to the Government House in Lokoja, with security operatives on the ground to ensure order and public safety.
The union, accompanied by affiliate groups, says the protest is driven by key labour concerns, including unresolved agreements with the Federal Government and growing insecurity affecting workers.
Addressing the group on behalf of Governor Usman Ododo, the State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, reiterated the government’s sustained onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities across the state.
Members of the NLC Lagos chapter had converged at Ikeja capital city for the demonstration.
Some of the protesters could be seen behind a large banner which read ‘Federal Government, No More Excuses and Rhetorics. End Insecurty Now.”
In Kano, the NLC members had presented a letter of demands to the Kano State Government with a representative of NLC President, Muttaqa Yusha’u, explaining that the rally followed a resolution of the NLC National Executive Council to organise peaceful demonstrations nationwide to raise awareness about insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence.
He said insecurity affects workers in all sectors teachers, health workers, farmers, traders and security personnel and that development cannot thrive without safety and peace.
Yusha’u called for a coordinated approach involving federal, state and local governments, as well as community leaders and workers’ organisations, to address security challenges effectively.
The Chairman of the NLC in Kano State, Mr Kabiru Inuwa, commended the Kano State Government for maintaining relative peace but urged sustained efforts to prevent the spread of insecurity from other parts of the country.
He stressed the need for improved welfare and support for security personnel and their families, describing collaboration between governments and labour as the most viable path to lasting security.
While receiving the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Suleiman Wali, representing Gov. Abba Yusuf, said the state government was enjoying a cordial relationship with the organised labour and described the rally as evidence of harmony between the government and workers.
He said that the orderly nature of the protest demonstrated constructive engagement rather than confrontation and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to dialogue with labour unions.
Wali assured the NLC that security matters were being taken seriously in the state, adding that all the security agencies were operating within their capacities to sustain the prevailing peace in Kano.
He said the Governor would study the letter submitted by the NLC and forward its contents to the appropriate authorities, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
