The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called for an urgent National Executive Council meeting, as revealed by the National Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, in an interview on Tuesday afternoon.
This extraordinary meeting is set to reevaluate the strategies for an impending strike, prompted by the recent aggression towards the NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero.
The unions plan to scrutinize the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour on October 2, 2023, subsequent to the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.
IGP Egbetokun Assures Redeployment of Imo CP
This, he said has caused “untold hardship” to Nigerians.
He stated,
“We will be holding an extraordinary NEC meeting any moment from now. The modalities include the injustice meted upon comrade Ajaero, the planned strike and the MOU signed with the Federal Government. More details will be revealed after the meeting.”
Following the arrest of Joe Ajaero by the police in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday, the organised labour issued a five-day ultimatum, demanding the redeployment of the state’s commissioner of police and the prosecution of the government aide allegedly involved in the assault. Failure to meet their demands within the stipulated time frame would result in a nationwide industrial action.
NLC, TUC Issue Fresh Strike Notice Amidst Attacks on Ajaero
The police’s claim that Ajaero was placed under protective custody to prevent potential harm was countered by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah. Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused Ajaero of meddling in the state’s political affairs, further escalating tensions.
The reprehensible attack on the labour leader has drawn widespread condemnation from various figures, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and prominent human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN).
The atmosphere remains charged as the unions gear up to assemble and tackle the intensifying unrest.
