In a late-night meeting between the Federal Government and Organised Labour, held at the State House in Abuja, negotiations hit a deadlock on Monday evening.

“The rally goes on and it is part of their constitutional responsibility to ensure that the rally is peaceful,” declared Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following the inconclusive discussions with government representatives on the eve of the protest.

The closed-door meeting, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, remained inaccessible to the media.

Key attendees included the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside ministers of Labour, Agriculture, Finance, Budget & Planning, and the Head of Service of the Federation, among others. Representatives from both labour centers in the country were also present.

The NLC delegation, spearheaded by National President Joe Ajaero, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) delegation, led by Festus Osifo, engaged in talks with the Federal Government, which implored the NLC to postpone its nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, 2024.

Minister of Information, Muhammad Idris, asserted after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday that the government had largely met the demands presented by the labour union.

However, the NLC emphasized the urgent need for the Federal Government to fulfill its agreements with Organised Labour and address the escalating economic challenges plaguing Nigeria.

Amidst soaring inflation, food prices, forex instability, and economic hardships exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidies, protests have erupted in various parts of the country.

Despite government appeals to halt the planned strike, the NLC remains resolute, vowing not to yield to pressure and proceed with its proposed nationwide protest.