Following the meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Organised Labour has described their discussion regarding petrol subsidy removal palliatives with the President as “fruitful and productive”.
Joe Ajaero, national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), while speaking with newsmen after the meeting, said the unions thoroughly examined the proposed measures as the concerns that sparked the protests persist.
He, however, did not provide any assurance regarding the cancellation or continuation of the nationwide protests against the economic difficulties resulting from the removal of petrol subsidy, saying the decision will be taken after the union’s executive meeting.
He said, “We met with him (President); issues are the same issues that led to the protest today. He has expressed his position and made some commitments which are taken side by side with what the National Assembly said.”
“We’re taking it back to the office with our colleagues to review it and release a document on our next line of action.”
On whether the protest has been called off, Ajaero said an immediate decision could not be taken by the labour leaders that came for the meeting, adding that the national executive council (NEC) of the NLC would meet on Thursday to decide on the next course of action.
“No one person can call it off. That’s why I say we’ll have to go back to the office. So that we will look at it at the EXCO meeting,” he said.
“And by tomorrow, the NLC will equally have their NEC meeting to look at the bigger picture on whether to suspend the protest. The president is a pro democratic activist so he understands protests.”
Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, was also present at the meeting.