Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has accused Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero of meddling in state politics, following the NLC’s threats of a strike over alleged salary non-payment. Uzodimma defended his administration, affirming all state workers have received their wages.
Uzodimma shared these remarks while speaking to State House correspondents following his reception of the All Progressives Congress’ flag from President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
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“What has happened in this ugly coincidence is that the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress is from Imo State and has not been able to demarcate the difference between being a national leader of an organisation and then an interested party in local politics,” he said.
Amidst this tension, Ajaero was reportedly arrested in Owerri, prompting outcry from the NLC. The President had earlier accused the Imo State government of worker rights violations, vowing to mobilize the union for a strike.
NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah, confirmed Ajaero’s arrest, highlighting his allegedly unknown location after being taken into custody. Governor Uzodimma intervened, preventing the dissolution of the Imo State chapter of the Congress.
He said,
“I understand the sensitivity of this event (protest). But I want you people to be careful because there is an attempt to mix up partisan politics or an attempt to blackmail my government.
“I can tell you that my people are already aware; that was why the NLC Imo State chapter addressed a world press conference that what their national leadership is doing is not correct and that they are not going to embark on any strike or protest.
“In the process, they decided to dissolve them to put in a caretaker. Of course, I’m the Chief Security Officer and I have a responsibility to intervene. I encourage the national leadership not to dissolve a management team that their tenure has not expired, and that was what they did.”
The governor, who said he does not interfere in labour matters, said he has convinced his “workers in Imo State to believe in me, and that trust is what opposition parties are trying to fight.”
TUC’s General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, provided an update on Ajaero’s condition, citing alleged brutalization during his arrest. A viral video depicted Ajaero with facial injuries en route to a hospital in Owerri following his release from detention.
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This incident has triggered widespread debate regarding the delicate balance between labor rights and governmental control, raising questions about the use of force and freedom of expression within the Nigerian political landscape.
“Ajaero is now responding well to treatment,” Toro provided an update during a live appearance on Thursday on Channels Television’s “Lunchtime Politics.”
Toro stated that the NLC leader and the other accompanying leaders are receiving sufficient treatment and are responding well.
“They are still under treatment and I am happy to inform you that they are responding to treatment. The chairperson of RTEAN, an affiliate of the TUC, was also attacked,” he said.
“His phones were taken away by the thugs, and his money was carted away. They are recovering; they are receiving treatment in the hospital.”
He clarified that the assault was a reaction to a memorandum jointly signed by the NLC, TUC, and the Imo State government on May 7th.
“The reason why we went to Imo is that the state government under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzozinma refused to honour a memorandum we signed.
“The Governor refused to honour gentleman understanding to set up a committee,” he said.
