Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticized the recent protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The protest, which resulted in the blockading of the airport, was a result of the ongoing conflict between the labor unions and the Imo State government following an attack on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in the South-East state.
The demonstration led to a standstill at the airport, causing numerous travelers to be stranded. However, during an aviation retreat in Warri, Delta State, Keyamo expressed his disapproval of the unions’ actions, questioning their decision to target the aviation sector.
“Aviation was not involved at all. Nothing about aviation but their target is aviation; their retaliation is aviation. So, please I want to beg them: ‘Leave us alone’. Leave aviation alone. You cannot target aviation in trying to address your grievances.”
“You cannot target a nation in trying to address your grievances. In targeting aviation like the Chairman of the Senate Committee [on aviation], it is a global village, it affects foreigners coming into Nigeria. It affects ordinary Nigerians going about their normal businesses,” Keyamo maintained.
“As of yesterday, we were battling with the fact that they said for only flights for Imo that they would disrupt. But this morning, they blocked the access roads to the Abuja airport. They are disrupting the entire country.”
Despite declaring himself a supporter of the labor movement, the minister urged the protesting unionists to prioritize the nation’s interests and cease their disruptive activities.
In response to the assault on Ajaero, the Imo State government denied any involvement and accused the NLC president of involving himself in political matters.
As the unions plan a nationwide strike on November 14th in light of the attack on Ajaero, Keyamo has cautioned them against becoming entangled in political issues, emphasizing the need for them to maintain a distance from such matters.
“Do not allow the Labour Party to destroy the labour movement. I repeat, do not allow the Labour Party and party politics to destroy the labour movement,” he said.
“Call the leadership to order. Don’t get steeped into politics, it would destroy the movement.”
The NLC, representing a collective of trade unions, had organized a protest scheduled for Wednesday in Owerri, the capital of Imo state. The demonstration was intended to address issues related to the prolonged non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months, along with alleged violations of labor rights, as reported by their spokesperson Benson.
However, the state police declared the protest to be prohibited. Subsequently, the unions alleged that “police personnel” had assaulted Ajaero following a crackdown on the demonstration.
