Tension gripped the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, yesterday as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, staged a dramatic picketing of the facility, protesting the controversial disengagement of nearly 900 workers.It equally issued a 48-hour ultimatum to management to resolve the crisis or face a total shutdown of operations.
Led by its President, Joe Ajaero, the labour movement accused AEDC of carrying out the mass sack under false pretences, describing the exercise as “the height of deceit” and a dangerous trend in Nigeria’s already fragile power sector.
Ajaero explained that 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.
Based on that understanding, the union initially did not oppose the exercise.
However, NLC claimed its investigations revealed that a significant number of those affected were far from retirement, with some having spent as little as two to three years in service.
“A majority of those affected were not at retirement age. Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. That is the height of deceit,” Ajaero declared.
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.
The development prompted the union to immediately call off the meeting and mobilise workers across the premises.
Staff were seen vacating their offices in compliance with the union’s directive, effectively disrupting activities at the facility.
Issuing a stern warning, Ajaero said failure by AEDC to address the matter within 48 hours would lead to a full-scale industrial action capable of crippling electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory.“If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” he warned.
He added that the action would extend beyond Abuja to all AEDC operational zones if management fails to respond promptly.
“This will not stop here. All AEDC stations will be affected. Operations will be halted until this matter is addressed,” he said.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the NLC president delivered a scathing critique of the power sector, accusing operators of exploiting consumers while flouting labour laws.
“In Abuja today, almost 90 per cent of electricity billing is estimated, yet there is no corresponding supply. Nigerians are being exploited under a system that rewards inefficiency,” he said.He also criticised the electricity banding system, arguing that it creates inequality in access while favouring certain distribution companies.
Ajaero further accused some power generation companies of seeking massive government bailouts while failing to meet their obligations, including the payment of union dues.
“Some of them are asking for about ₦6 trillion for what is essentially darkness. At the same time, they are withholding over ₦5 billion in union dues dating back to 2012. How do you demand trillions when you cannot meet your own responsibilities?” he queried.
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. It also raised concerns over poor working conditions, lack of promotions, and unresolved welfare issues within the company.
Describing the situation as a “day of reckoning,” Ajaero warned that continued disregard for labour laws could trigger wider unrest across the sector.“History has shown that unresolved labour issues do not disappear—they resurface, often with greater consequences. Time is ticking,” he said.
He urged workers to remain united and vigilant, insisting that justice must be done for those allegedly unjustly sacked.
“As a union, we are not asking for anything outside the law. But if the law is followed, we will be satisfied that justice has been served,” Ajaero stated.
