The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the ongoing strike, marking a significant development in the ongoing labor dispute. The decision was announced following a crucial meeting held on Wednesday night, where the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, played a pivotal role in mediating between the labor leaders and the government.
The meeting, which commenced just after 7 pm and lasted nearly an hour, saw representatives from various affiliates and state chapters coming together to review the outcome of prior discussions with Ribadu. According to the National Deputy Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, the suspension was a result of the unions' trust in the assurances given by Nuhu Ribadu.
“The NEC of the NLC and the TUC have suspended the strike. We did this based on our trust for the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who gave us his words,” Etim explained in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja.
Earlier in the day, labor leaders engaged in discussions with Ribadu and the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, at the Office of the National Security Adviser. The involvement of high-ranking officials underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgency to find a resolution.
One of the key issues fueling the labor unrest was the alleged brutalization of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero. The unions had been vehemently protesting against this act and the government's perceived failure to implement agreements reached on October 2, 2023. The strike, which garnered widespread support from workers across the country, became a focal point for expressing dissatisfaction with the state of labor relations.
Crucially, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, made a significant announcement during the meeting – the arrest of individuals responsible for the brutalization of Ajaero. This revelation likely played a pivotal role in convincing the labor leaders to suspend the strike, as it demonstrated a tangible commitment from the government to address their concerns.
