The diplomatic approach and choice of words of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, have been credited as the catalyst for the suspension of the nationwide strike by the National Labour Congress (NLC).
Ribadu, a security adviser to President Bola Tinubu, announced on Wednesday that the attackers of Joe Ajaero, the NLC President in Owerri, Imo State, have been arrested.
Ribadu condemned the attack on Ajaero and noted that the nationwide strike had serious effects on Nigeria’s fragile economy.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of organized labour led by the NLC and TUC, Zakari Mijinyawa, head of strategic communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, said in a statement.
“The NSA (Ribadu) 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.
“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened after learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajaero, who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
“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 a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits.
“The available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. 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”.
