Labour Union Descends on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Gives 48-Hour Ultimatum to Reinstate 900 Fired Employees

Tension mounted at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company headquarters as the Nigeria Labour Congress staged a protest against the disengagement of nearly 900 workers, with the union issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to resolve the crisis.

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Under the leadership of President Joe Ajaero, the labour movement accused the company of carrying out the mass sack under false pretences, describing it as a dangerous trend in Nigeria's fragile power sector.

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The dispute began about six months ago when AEDC management claimed the disengagement would affect only workers who had reached or were nearing retirement age, but NLC investigations revealed that many of those affected were far from retirement.

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Ajaero explained that some of the affected workers had spent as little as two to three years in service, with the majority not being at retirement age, prompting the union to take action.

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The situation escalated when NLC leaders arrived at the AEDC headquarters for a scheduled meeting with management, only to discover that the Managing Director was absent, leading to the union calling off the meeting and mobilising workers.

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Staff vacated their offices in compliance with the union's directive, disrupting activities at the facility, as Ajaero warned that failure to address the matter within 48 hours would lead to a full-scale industrial action.

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If the matter is not resolved, Ajaero warned that the action would extend beyond Abuja to all AEDC operational zones, with operations being halted until the matter is addressed.

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The NLC president also delivered a scathing critique of the power sector, accusing operators of exploiting consumers while flouting labour laws, with almost 90 per cent of electricity billing in Abuja being estimated.

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Ajaero argued that the electricity banding system creates inequality in access while favouring certain distribution companies, and accused some power generation companies of seeking massive government bailouts while failing to meet their obligations.

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Some power generation companies are asking for about ₦6 trillion in bailouts while withholding over ₦5 billion in union dues dating back to 2012, Ajaero queried, highlighting the inconsistency in their demands.

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The NLC is demanding that AEDC publish the full list of disengaged workers, including their years of service and reasons for termination, to allow for public scrutiny and address concerns over poor working conditions.

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The union also raised concerns over the lack of promotions and unresolved welfare issues within the company, with Ajaero warning that continued disregard for labour laws could trigger wider unrest across the sector.

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Ajaero described the situation as a "day of reckoning" and urged workers to remain united and vigilant, insisting that justice must be done for those allegedly unjustly sacked.

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The NLC president stated that the union is not asking for anything outside the law, but if the law is followed, they will be satisfied that justice has been served, as he urged AEDC to take immediate action to resolve the crisis.