BREAKING: NLC, TUC Declare Nationwide Strike Over Attack On Ajaero
The organised labour unions, comprising the Trade Union Congress, (TUC), and the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), have declared a nationwide strike over the attack on its NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
Announcing the development at a briefing in Abuja on Friday, the leadership of the NLC and TUC issued a 6-pount demand to the Federal Government, including the immediate removal of the Imo State Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander, among other police officers, for their alleged involvement in the brutalisation and humiliation of Ajaero and other workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a 5-day ultimatum for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo State among other issues.
The Organised Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Special Adviser to the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Special Duties, threatening to embark on a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not carried out.
The union leaders accused the Imo State government as well as the police of being responsible for the attack on the NLC leader.
The nationwide strike is to commence Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Government and the police denied every allegation against them in their separate responses on Friday.
Speaking on the issue earlier at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, denied the allegation of being responsible for the attack on Ajaero, saying it took his intervention before the NLC leaders in his state who were suspended and replaced with the caretaker committee were reinstated.
Uzodimma accused Ajaero, an indigene of Imo State, of being involved in local politics.
Gentechnews recalls that the NLC President was reportedly captured and brutalized during the organised labour protest in Imo State on Wednesday.
Ajaero was whisked away by men of the Nigerian Police Force and later appeared with injuries on his face, revealing that he was beaten.
Speaking on the development on Thursday, the NLC Publicity Secretary, Benson Upah, said Ajaero could not be treated at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, because of the degree of injuries he sustained, hence the need to fly him abroad for treatment.