The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly announced a nationwide strike in response to the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State on November 1
This decision was made during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC Secretary-General, and Festus Osifo, TUC President, at the Labour House in Abuja,on Tuesday
Festus Osifo, during the announcement of the strike, emphasized that the national action would encompass all sectors in Imo State, starting from midnight that day.
He added that these actions would not be limited in any form and would initiate a nationwide strike effective Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
The Vice President of NLC, Adewale Adeyanju, confirmed the strike, emphasizing the importance of unity within the unions at this critical juncture.
The strike was prompted by the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero on November 1 in Owerri.
In response, the union issued a set of conditions that the federal government had to meet by November 8, 2023, to avert the strike.
These conditions included the immediate investigation and removal of Imo State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Barde, over his alleged unprofessional behaviour.
They also called for the removal of the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force and all other officers in Owerri who supervised the alleged brutalization and humiliation of President Ajaero and other workers.
The adviser on special duty to Governor Hope Uzodimma, Mr. Nwaneri Chinasa, who was said to have supervised the alleged terror and brutality against NLC President Ajaero, was demanded to be arrested and prosecuted for his actions.
Labour also called for an immediate and unbiased thorough professional medical examination of Comrade Ajaero in light of the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on him, along with the treatment of other workers and journalists subjected to inhumane treatment and the restoration of all lost properties.
Among these demands, only the removal of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Barde, had been implemented, leading to the decision to proceed with the nationwide strike.
