U-Turn: Buhari Administration Backtracks, NLC Granted Access to Eagle Square

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has given the go-ahead for the annual May Day parade for workers in the FCT to take place at Eagle Square.

This was said in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by Olajide Oshundun, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Chris Ngige, the minister of labor and employment, allegedly intervened in the matter, according to Mr. Oshundun.

He said that the first disagreement was brought on by the planning for President-elect Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29.

“After learning of the story, the minister got in touch with Muhammad Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who attributed the occurrence to some too-eager staff operating without his permission.

The FCDA, the federal government Transition Committee, and the NLC also have a little communication gap, he added.

He said that the Transition Committee was notified about the handover ceremony by Merrs Julius Berger, the contractor in charge of renovating Eagle Square.

When the Nigerian Army utilized the location for an event last Thursday that the president attended, Mr. Oshundun noted that they had already set up their equipment.

“As a result, the FCT minister gave the minister of Labour and Employment his word that NLC may utilize the location on May 1, which is Workers’ Day.

This administration’s final May Day is this year. Everyone, including the government, diplomatic missions, international organizations, organized labor, and affiliated unions, as well as the general public, has a right to participate in the NLC march.

“The president, ministers, and other participants cannot exclude themselves. All of these people may still stay at The Eagle Square,” he added.

He said that Mr. Ngige had spoken with and informed Joe Ajaero’s organized labor leadership on the latest developments.

The federal government allegedly turned down the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) request to utilize the location for the Workers’ Day event.

Mr. Oshundun said that Mr. Ngige had also extended the minister of the FCT’s apology for the unexpected humiliation caused by their officials’ interpretation of Messrs. Julius Berger’s general intent and one-month work schedule.