The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, United Action Front, has called on Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to ensure that nothing happens to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, who was arrested by the police in Owerri.
They emphasized that his release is necessary to avoid a total shutdown of the country.
The position of the CSOs is contained in a statement signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Head, National Coordinating Secretariat of United Action Front
However, the Imo State government has denied involvement in Ajaero’s arrest, stating that the arrest followed a court order to stop a planned strike in the state, which was deemed illegal.
The government, in a statement signed by State Commissioner of Information, Decal Emelumba, asserted that Ajaero’s presence in Owerri was in defiance of the court order, and his arrest may have been related to a confrontation between lawful workers in Imo State and others from Abuja.
The State government emphasized its commitment to the rule of law and denied any responsibility for Ajaero’s arrest.