ABUJA, NIGERIA — Following an emergency peace meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo reached an accord to suspend the regional power sector strike, directing electricity workers to restore power supply across Edo State and adjacent franchise territories.
The breakthrough came after Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside Senator representing Edo North and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, held direct consultations in Abuja with NLC President Joe Ajaero to de-escalate the industrial crisis involving members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).
Under the terms of the consensus, Governor Okpebholo pledged that the Edo State Government will formally recognize and collaborate with the NLC caretaker committee, facilitate the immediate reopening of the state labour secretariat, ensure the proper remittance of check-off dues, and work alongside a joint technical committee to investigate worker welfare and safety concerns. In exchange, Joe Ajaero and organized labour agreed to stand down the shutdown of key power distribution nodes.
The multi-day blackout—which extended across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states within the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) franchise—stemmed from unresolved disputes over employee safety, worker welfare, and escalating friction between state actors and regional trade unions.
Explaining the rationale behind traveling to Abuja for direct high-level talks with NLC President Joe Ajaero, Governor Monday Okpebholo highlighted the urgency of resolving the blackout:
“We cannot play politics with the lives and livelihoods of our people. Electricity is essential infrastructure, and bringing all primary stakeholders to the table in Abuja was necessary to guarantee an immediate end to this grid shutdown.”
Speaking during the mediation process, Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged all parties to prioritize worker protection and industrial harmony over political friction:
“Labour struggles must always center on the legitimate rights and safety of workers, not political grandstanding. We have facilitated this bridge between state leadership and the NLC to ensure our workers are protected while power is restored without further delay.”
Speaking on behalf of organized labour following the Abuja peace dialogue, NLC President Joe Ajaero confirmed the immediate directive to re-energize transmission lines across the state:
“Following explicit commitments from Governor Okpebholo to recognize the NLC caretaker committee, reopen our locked secretariat, and work directly with the technical committee on worker safety and grievances, we have directed electricity union workers to stand down the strike and restore power supply forthwith.”
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