Operations at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) headquarters in Abuja were disrupted Tuesday after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a protest over the dismissal of 897 workers. The NLC, led by its president Comrade Joe Ajaero, gave AEDC a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse the sackings or face a total shutdown of operations. Ajaero described the mass termination as illegal and inhumane, stating the affected workers were not given due process. He insisted the disengagements violated existing labour laws and collective bargaining agreements. The NLC demanded immediate reinstatement of all sacked employees and called on AEDC management to engage in dialogue. The protest brought work at the headquarters to a standstill, with union members picketing the facility throughout the day. AEDC has not issued a public response since the action began.
Comrade Joe Ajaero is treating AEDC like a political fiefdom where protests dictate personnel decisions. The 897 sackings may be harsh, but threatening a power shutdown over internal staffing issues puts millions at risk for a union score-settling. If AEDC management acted unlawfully, labour courts exist for redress — not ultimatums from union leaders. This tactic suggests the NLC believes it can paralyse critical infrastructure whenever it chooses.
