The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) jointly announced a total nationwide strike set to commence on November 14, 2023.
This decision was reached after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting in Abuja. The move comes as a response to the alleged brutalisation of the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, and the government’s removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, which has inflicted severe hardship on Nigerians.
The unions, in a statement, demanded the redeployment of the commissioner of police in Imo State following the arrest of Ajaero, along with the prosecution of the government aide allegedly involved in the attack.
‘Nigeria Happened To Him’ – Mixed Reactions Over NLC President’s Brutality
The labor unions also warned of initiating a countrywide industrial protest if their requests were not fulfilled within five days, starting from Friday.
Ajaero’s detainment by the authorities prior to the statewide demonstration in Imo on Wednesday was revealed by Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information.
While the police refuted Ajaero’s arrest, claiming that he was taken into protective custody to prevent potential mob violence, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma accused the labor leader of interfering in the state’s political affairs.
The assault on the labor leader has drawn condemnation from numerous notable Nigerians and civil society organizations, including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, and Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights lawyer.
