In advance of Wednesday’s nationwide shutdown, organised labour, which is composed of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has started mobilising its state councils and affiliates.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, the TUC and NLC decided on Friday to go on a national strike in retaliation for the vicious attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero.
Remember that Ajaero was detained by Nigerian Police officers at a labour union-organized protest march in Owerri, Imo State, in response to allegations that the state government was mistreating and breaching the rights of its employees.
UPDATE: NLC To Take Action Against Uzodinma Over Attack On Ajaero
The NLC said that security personnel working for Governor Hope Uzodimma mistreated Ajaero. The Imo Police command, however, has denied the claims, saying he was not arrested but taken into protective custody.
Following the alleged assault, organised labour demanded that the Police Commissioner in Imo be investigated, that he be redeployed, that the Area Commander of the Police be fired, that all other officers and men in Owerri be fired, and that Nwaneri Chinasa, the governor’s aide, be arrested and put on trial right away.
It was learned that the planned statewide strike would be ratified by the National Executives Council (NEC) of the organised labour organs meeting in Abuja tomorrow.
One of the NLC leaders told Daily Sun that although the two groups’ NEC had to issue the order, the strike would go as planned.
UPDATE: NLC President, Joe Ajaero Arrested In Imo
The source said only the implementation of its demands can stop it from grounding the country. “We are all going to Abuja on Tuesday for the meeting. All the affiliates have fully mobilized for the action. We are all just waiting for the directives from the centre.”
The union source stated that both the TUC and the NLC were fighting together, and that the TUC had also decided to have its NEC meeting tomorrow.
He claimed that a few recent occurrences had highlighted the necessity of the nationwide closure even more.
“What has happened since that day, some information we are hearing have further made it worst, and we are prepared for the NEC’s directive,” he stated.
In the meantime, Azalla Owalla, Ajaero’s hometown in Emekuku, Owerri, Imo State, has allegedly been invaded and attacked, according to the NLC.
The NLC said that the most recent attack on Ajaero’s neighbourhood on Saturday might be part of a plot to kill the Congress leader in a statement released by Benson Upah, Head of Media and Information.
“It is evident that the Governor’s sinister objective is the assassination of the President of the Congress, a motive laid bare by this latest act of aggression on the community,’ the statement read.
The statement said, “In a shocking turn of events, on the morning of November 4, 2023, Governor Hope Uzodimma once again demonstrated his utter disregard for human rights and democratic principles by invading and attacking the community.”
According to Upah, the invasion was executed on the false presumption that Ajaero was still there, recuperating from wounds inflicted by the police and hired goons.
He believed that it is an insult to democracy to use extreme force against people who have different views or who dare to criticise the governor’s style of governance, especially in light of the cruel treatment of workers in Imo State.
Strike: NLC President, Ajaero Reacts Over Accusation of Taking Bribe From Tinubu Govt
According to him, the current condition of affairs in Imo condition is nothing less than a step towards fascism, where speech is marginalised and fear is given priority over reason.
“It is imperative that the governor be held accountable. We believe that the President holds the means to rein in the excesses of the Governor, and these measures must be swiftly employed to safeguard lives and properties in the state.
“The people of Azalla Owalla are entitled to their peace, and the continued occupation of their community by the Police and Uzodimma’s thugs, in the wake of the assault on their fellow citizen, constitutes an ongoing insult.
“The occupying forces must immediately vacate the territory, granting the people the freedom to engage in their socioeconomic activities without the looming specter of terror,” the statement read further.
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