President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress in a last-minute effort to avert the union’s planned nationwide protest over rising insecurity in the country.

The meeting took place at the State House, Abuja, beginning around 11:27 p.m., and was attended by NLC President Joe Ajaero, Imo State Governor and Progressives Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Minister of Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

Last week, the NLC announced a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, citing the country’s “deteriorating security situation.”

On Tuesday evening, the congress warned of an alleged scheme by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” to infiltrate and violently disrupt the planned demonstration.

After the meeting, Ajaero told State House correspondents that the labour union would reassess its protest plans in light of President Tinubu’s input.

He stated that the congress team would hold a separate session with governors to determine the next steps.

The NLC president emphasized that the meeting with the president was purely consultative and that the union would conduct internal deliberations before announcing any decisions on Wednesday, December 17.

The NLC president did not confirm whether the planned protest had been suspended or cancelled, noting only that the union would make a decision following consultations with the president.

“We came for consultation with the president, and we have finished, so we have to go back to our meeting and then continue tomorrow. By tomorrow you will get the outcome.

“Whether I am insisting on or not insisting on the protest, I will communicate to you; it is not an organisation that one person rules.

“Let’s go back; after a meeting of labour and the governor’s forum, we go back to the drawing board and digest all that Mr President said to us and move forward from there,” he said.

Also speaking, Governor Uzodimma described the meeting as a productive dialogue and assured Nigerians that timely updates would be provided.

“Consultation is going on; we were dialoguing. Like he said, at the end of the day, you will know what you are supposed to know and what you want to know,” he said.

“What should Nigerians expect? Of course, we are here to serve the country – both the labour, the government and the governed. We are all working in service to the nation.”

The Minister of Labour and Employment confirmed that the NLC leadership was granted the audience they had requested with the president.