By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
The peace parley between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Labour leaders in Oyo State over the on going indefinite strike in the state on Wednesday ended in a deadlock
New Nigerian gathered that the almost six hours meeting initiated by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Michael Adeyemo which started around 3.05pm was attended by labour leaders led by the NLC Deputy President of the union, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, with the National Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of the NLC led the NUT to the meeting that lasted late into the night.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, NLC Deputy President, Comrade Peters Adeyemi disclosed that the meeting was “very tough and a lot of issues concerning their demands from the state government were raised and that “the parties were yet to reach a conclusion on the matter following the request by the labour representatives to be given 24 hours to enable them brief their congress on the outcome of the meeting.
“I want to inform you that no conclusive agreement has been reached after our lengthy meeting with the Governor. However I want to assure the people that the leadership of the union will go back to brief our members on the deliberations we had with the governor,” he said.
Comrade Adeyemi added that the NLC “will take a consensus decision and get back to the state government and the state House of Assembly” after the congress, saying, “the final decision of the labour unions would be communicated to members of the public through the media after meeting with the congress on Thursday (today).
“I want to inform you that no conclusive agreement has been reached after our lengthy meeting with the Governor. However I want to assure the people that the leadership of the union will go back to brief our members on the deliberations we had with the governor. I’m assuring you that honest and final decisions would be taken tomorrow (Thursday) after we must have briefed our members and later we will address the press for members of the public to know the outcome”.
Speaking further, the NLC Deputy President lauded Governor Ajimobi “for his large heart, which he demonstrated by devoting seven hours to today’s meeting,” saying, “we all had the opportunity to table issues under dispute.”
Governor Ajimobi while speaking lauded the commitment and maturity of the national leadership of the union on the issue saying, the labor leaders displayed sincerity of purpose and high sense of maturity, adding that the “meeting reflected government’s honesty and sincerity on various issues that came up for discussion at the parley.
“I want to appreciate the commitment and maturity of the national leadership of labour and the NUT which they displayed today during our meeting. In fact, it was a reflection of honesty and sincerity of purpose, openness and transparency. We are by this dialogue deepening democracy. Democracy is about discussion, consultation and all of us must participate in it because there is no other way out other than to ensure the continued progress and development of our state and the country at large,” he said.
The governor added “we have had a family discussion and I’m optimistic that the crisis will soon be laid to rest. Dialogue is the potent weapon in any dispute and that is what I have been advocating. It’s good to jaw-jaw instead of war-war.”
“We are all working for the progress and development of our state. I have no doubt in my mind that we will all succeed at the end of the day”.
