The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have leveled accusations against the Federal Government, claiming deception during a scheduled meeting with the Presidential Steering Committee on Subsidy Palliatives. The meeting took place at Aso Rock, Abuja, on Friday, July 28.
Led by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the labor delegation from NLC and TUC arrived at the Chief of Staff's Conference Room at approximately 5 pm. However, they left the meeting shortly after it began, citing the absence of government officials from the subcommittees who were supposed to brief them. According to the labor team, the government is using these meetings as a pretext to deceive the Nigerian public.
A member of the labor team, speaking anonymously to journalists, revealed that the government representatives insisted on continuing the meeting despite the lack of a quorum. They accused the government of being unprepared for the meeting and using excuses to avoid briefing the subcommittees properly.
The absence of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff, from the meeting was explained as him attending to other official matters within the Villa while waiting for the labor delegation at his Conference Hall. The rest of the government team remained present, anticipating the arrival of the organized labor representatives.
However, it was later discovered that the labor delegation faced delays at the State House entrance gate (Mopol gate) due to their names not being sent for clearance. One of the labor leaders expressed frustration, stating, "We were detained at the gate."
The accusations and walkout have added to the growing tensions between the Nigerian government and labor unions over subsidy palliatives. The labor unions are demanding transparency and adherence to proper meeting procedures, while the government contends that it was ready for the meeting to proceed despite the absence of some officials.
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