Tinubu meets NLC leaders ahead of nationwide protest planned for today

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night met with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ahead of the union’s proposed nationwide protest over rising insecurity scheduled for today, 17 December.

Present at the meeting held at the State House in Abuja, included the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State; Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero led labour leaders to the meeting, according to a post by ppresidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

However, no information has been released on what was agreed at between the President and the labour leaders at the meeting.

But it was expected that the meeting will focus on on averting the planned demonstration and finding common ground on security challenges which was the main instigator of the nationwide protest by the labour unions.

Decisive action on security

NLC had earlier said the planned nationwide protest on Dec. 17 aims to draw attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and compel urgent action from stakeholders.

Ajaero, stated this in Gombe on Saturday while speaking with journalists after meeting Gov. Inuwa Yahaya on labour-related issues.

He said the protest would demand decisive government action against insecurity, stressing that the situation now affects every Nigerian, regardless of status or occupation.

Ajaero said banditry and violent crimes were alien to Nigeria’s culture and must be collectively condemned to reverse what he described as a dangerous national narrative.

According to him, insecurity is damaging the economy and weakening Nigeria’s ability to attract local and foreign investors.

“Our planned protest is to call attention to the impact of insecurity on investors and workers, who are kidnapped daily and sometimes killed,” Ajaero said.

He cited a recent incident in Kebbi, saying, “The person killed was a teacher, while the kidnapped children included those of workers.”

“So we are asking the government to help fish out the perpetrators and put an end to this menace,” he added.

Collective Action Against Insecurity

Ajaero said the protest was also meant to reassure authorities of public support in confronting insecurity.

“Government should know their hands are being strengthened to do the needful because Nigerians are saying this is wrong and must stop,” he said.

He urged collective action, noting that kidnapping for ransom undermines national values and social cohesion.

Ajaero said workers suffer severely, as kidnapped persons often lack ransom money and resort to borrowing or begging to survive.

“It is important for workers to join the call to end insecurity, unless government wants to give us security allowance to pay ransom.

“We don’t have guns or cutlasses to chase criminals; protest is our only voice to Nigerians and the international community,” he said