The federal government is currently meeting with members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The meeting which is holding at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) is aimed at brokering a peace deal to end the ongoing strike declared by the organised labour union.
The meeting is being attended by Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour, as well as Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, the Minister of state, and Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser to the President.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had on Wednesday, apologised to Joe Ajaero, President of Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the organised labour over Ajaero’s attack on November 1 in Owerri, and pleaded with labour to call off ongoing strike.
The NLC and TUC had on Monday said it will embark on an indefinite strike over the brutalization of its national President and federal government’s refusal to arrest and prosecute the attackers in Owerri.
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The NSA in a statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa, Head, Strategic Communication Office of the NSA, pleaded with Labour to Rescind Strike, just as it condemned the attacks on its leader.
The NSA revealed that the suspected attackers of its President, has been arrested and Investigations have commenced.
The statement said the “Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organised Labour led by the NLC and TUC.
” NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.
The statement also added that ” the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajaero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
According to the statement ” the NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
“The Federal Government will never condone such an act”
As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances sorrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits.
Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard.
The statement said the outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted.
