Labour Unions Suspend Subsidy Removal Protest After Meeting President Tinubu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) disclosed that the subsidy removal protest had been suspended after meeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday.

Both unions revealed that they have decided to give some time to the federal government to fulfill its promises. NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo had a closed-door meeting with the president at Aso Villa, after which Ajaero addressed the media.

NLC President Ajaero noted that the meeting was "fruitful that immense mileage was gotten with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest," WithInNigeria reported.

"He (President Tinubu) has expressed his position, made some commitment, which was taken side-by-side with what the Senate said, and we're taking it back to the office with our colleagues to review it and release a document on our next line of action," Ajaero added, as per PremiumTimes.

When journalists questioned if the protest would be called off after meeting President Tinubu, Ajaero explained that they would go back to the office and have a separate meeting to look at the "bigger picture."

However, the official Twitter handle of Presidency Nigeria tweeted after the meeting that the protest has been suspended after the "fruitful meeting." The tweet also featured a series of photos, where the president stands with union leaders.

"Consequent upon the fruitful and frank discussion with President Tinubu and their confidence in his ability to encourage open and honest consideration of all the issues put forward by the Labour Movement, the Labour Leaders resolved to stop further protest," the tweet mentioned.

It added, "They opted for further constructive engagement with the government to resolve all outstanding issues as they affect the working people and Nigerians in general."

It further revealed that President Tinubu has committed that the Port Harcourt refineries will start production by December 2023 after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

Furthermore, the president assured the union leaders that he will continue to work in the best interest of the country while requesting the labor leaders to come together in order to make a better and economically buoyant country.

The unions decided to protest after fuel prices skyrocketed, causing an increase in other products and services following subsidy removal. In fact, thousands of Nigerian youths attacked the National Emergency Management Agency warehouses to find food and non-food items last week.