Joe Ajaero: NEC Meets To Take Action As Labour Presses On With Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have begun mobilising its affiliates and state councils ahead of the nationwide strike on Wednesday, November 8.

The NLC and TUC had on Friday resolved to embark on a nationwide strike to protest the brutal attack on the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero.

Recall that operatives of the Nigerian Police arrested Ajaero during a protest march organised by labour unions in Owerri, Imo State, in response to claims that the state government was abusing and violating the rights of its workers.

NLC alleged that Ajaero was brutalised by security agents attached to Governor Hope Uzodimma. However, the Imo Police command has refuted the allegations, saying he was not arrested but taken into protective custody.

Following the alleged assault, the organised labour demanded investigation and redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo, sack of the Area Commander of the Police and all other officers and men in Owerri through whom the Police Commissioner supervised the attack as well as the arrest and immediate prosecution of Nwaneri Chinasa, an aide to the governor.

It was gathered that the National Executives Council (NEC) of the organised labour organs would meet in Abuja tomorrow to ratify the proposed nationwide strike.

Speaking to Daily Sun, one of the leaders of the NLC said that the strike would go on as scheduled, but the NEC of the two bodies had to give the directive.

The source said only the implementation of its demands can stop it from grounding the country. “We are all going to Abuja on Tuesday for the meeting. All the affiliates have fully mobilized for the action. We are all just waiting for the directives from the centre.”

According to the union official, the NLC and TUC were united in the struggle, and the TUC has equally scheduled its NEC meeting for tomorrow.

He said some events in recent times have further accentuated the fact for the nationwide shutdown.

“What has happened since that day, some information we are hearing have further made it worst, and we are prepared for the NEC’s directive,” he stated.