After Ribadu’s intervention, organised Labour suspends nationwide strike

After the intervention of the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the organised labour has suspended its nationwide indefinite strike.
The protest, which began on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, by the organised Labour, was to press home their displeasure with the attack on the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.

The suspension was announced Wednesday night after their meeting with the National Security Adviser

Ajaero, in the company of other labour leaders on November 1st, took Owerri in Imo State by storm to lead a rally in protest against the state government over alleged violation of rights of workers in the State.

But before the rally started properly, the labour leader was arrested by the police and beaten by the political thugs allegedly attached to the Governor of the state, Hope Uzodinma.

The development had drawn the ire of the labour movement whom, among other demands, requested that the Area Commander that led the attack be sacked from the police force and be prosecuted.

Both NLC and TUC subsequently declared a nationwide strike – the development that crippled commercial activities across the country.

Ribadu later intervened in the nationwide action of the organised labour, disclosing that two suspects in connection with Ajaero’s attack have been arrested.

The labour leaders at their extra-ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting resolved to take into consideration all the promises made by the NSA.

“We’ve just finished extraordinary NEC meeting. We have considered all the appeals made to us by the NSA during our meeting in his office in the afternoon. We shall give him time to coordinate the investigations as promised,”

The General Secretary of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employee (AUPCTRE), Comrade Sikiru Waheed, also confirmed the development to journalists.

He said, “Arising from the just-concluded joint NEC session of NLC and TUC to give consideration to the plea of Federal Government at a meeting held today at the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the meeting resolved that the ongoing national strike is hereby suspended.

“The labour movement appreciates you all for your commitments towards the success of the industrial action. You are hereby directed to resume your official functions from tomorrow, Thursday, 16th November, 2023. Thank you.”

The NSA had earlier begged the movement to rescind its decisions on the current development while condemning the attack on the labour leaders in Owerri during their protest.

The President of TUC, Festus Osifo, who led other labour leaders to the NSA’s office, said the conversations they had with the federal government officials would be taken to their respective organs and they would communicate accordingly.