Anita Ogona
The Nigerian Army has revealed why soldiers are stationed outside the venue were a meeting between the Organised Labour and Federal Government is ongoing.
The Nigerian Labour Congress had raised alarm that military personnel’s were around the premises while warning against any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail its leaders at the negotiation table, which would worsen issues.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Army in a tweet revealed that the soldiers are only escorts to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu who is present at the meeting. They noted that the military escorts would leave once the meeting is over. The Army wrote;
“The attention of Army Headquarters has been drawn to a false breaking news by NLC alleging that soldiers currently surround the venue of the ongoing meeting between NLC and the SGF.
“Kindly note that the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who is also attending the meeting, arrived at the meeting venue with his retinue of statutorily approved military escorts. Once the meeting is over, the escorts will lead the NSA from the venue .
“Kindly disregard the deliberate and misleading falsehood being peddled about the presence of the escorts at the meeting”.
The information on some national dailies says Soldiers are currently surrounding the venue of the meeting between the Organised Labour and Federal Government.
A source from the Labour disclosed this to journalist on Monday evening.
The source said the action is aimed at intimidating Organised Labour, noting that no matter the intimidation, Labour leaders remain undaunted.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SFG, George Akume, summoned the leadership of the Organised Labour for a meeting.
Though the source did not reveal the reason for the meeting, it won’t be unconnected with the minimum wage and ongoing strike across the country.
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