Nigerian workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday gathered at the Labour House, Abuja, to commence a nationwide protest against rising insecurity and worsening economic conditions in the country.

The gathering followed weeks of tension between organised labour and the Federal Government over the deteriorating security situation and its impact on workers and citizens.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on Tuesday night, met with the leadership of the NLC in a last-minute effort to avert the protest.

However, the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, told journalists that the meeting did not yield any resolution capable of stopping the planned action.

According to him, labour leaders were not convinced that the issues raised during the engagement had been adequately addressed.

It was learnt that the NLC leadership is currently holding further consultations with a committee constituted during the late-night meeting involving the President and the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Meanwhile, workers who had converged on the Labour House were seen waiting anxiously for the outcome of the meeting, even as some labour leaders insisted that the protest would proceed regardless of ongoing talks.

Also present at the Labour Secretariat were human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore, alongside members of the Revolution Now Movement, who expressed solidarity with the workers’ agitation.

The NLC, in its demands, is calling for the establishment of a special intervention fund to rehabilitate and compensate citizens, including workers, who have been affected by widespread insecurity across the country.

The congress is also demanding that Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution, which places the responsibility for the security and welfare of the people on government, be made justiciable to enable citizens seek legal redress when the state fails in that duty.

In addition, organised labour is seeking far-reaching electoral reforms, including the strengthening of a truly independent and people-oriented electoral umpire, the prompt prosecution and punishment of electoral offenders, and an end to the militarisation of elections in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, discussions between labour leaders and government representatives were still ongoing, with workers maintaining a tense but peaceful presence at the Labour House.