Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Tuesday, ordered a shutdown of electricity and fuel supplies in Imo State over the recent brutalisation of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Both unions also directed aviation workers to ensure that flights into and outside the state are suspended.
This is part of the decisions taken at the extraordinary National Executive Council meeting summoned by the TUC and NUC on Tuesday afternoon.
According to a communique released at the end of the meeting, “The NEC-in-session orders the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State beginning midnight today. All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and Electricity be stopped immediately as applicable. All Public and Private Sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely.”
Implementation of the strike commences at midnight, November 8, 2023.
Recall that the Organised Labour, comprising the NLC and TUC, on Friday, issued a five-day ultimatum over the arrest of the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, by the police in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday.
The two unions demanded the redeployment of the commissioner of police in the state and the arrest and prosecution of the aide of the government who was alleged to have perpetrated the attack.
They also threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not met in five days from Friday.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of the state-wide protest in Imo on Wednesday. This was disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.
Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.
The attack on the labour leader has been condemned by many prominent Nigerians and civil society organisations, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN).
