Organised Labour is yet to react to appeals by the National security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to suspend its ongoing strike, following the arrest of culprits in the brutalisation of Joe Ajaero in Owerri imo state on November 1, 2023.
Also, neither the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC or the Trade union Congress, TUC has reacted to the public apology to Joe Ajaero and the Labour movement, as tendered by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma at a function in Owerri on Tuesday.
But a statement signed by NLC Head of Media Benson Upah says the ongoing strike is a protest against the merging culture of state violence and Impunity.
It says it would want Nigerians not to give themselves to the “private matter” narrative being promoted by agents of government as it is intended to divert attention from the real issues.
The NLC in the statement says even as no freedom can be greater than the personal liberty of an indivudual in a popular democracy, which was violently and viciously violated in Imo, what the NLC and TUC are fighting through this strike are serial acts of violence, assault and impunity committed against individuals and organisations by the Nigeria Police Force and under their watchful eye or supervision.
The NLC recalls the role of the police in the forceful seizure of the offices of NURTW, RTEAN and NUPENG, noting that the current strike among other things, is a protest against this reprehensible impunity which is fast becoming the signature of the Tinubu government.
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Labour says the arrest, beating and torture of Joe Ajaero represents raising of the stakes in this culture of harassment and intimidation and has no apology for resisting the strike.
Labour says Critics of labour unions forget that they could be the next victims tomorrow. Labour says it demands that the government of President Bola Tinubu nip in the bud this burgeoning culture of harassment, intimidation, violence and terror.
However, ait.live investigation shows that large part of Abuja the capital city, still enjoy electricity supply, even though the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE is the union that produced the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
Also, a few filling stations are still selling fuel, even though the oil and gas workers union produced the TUC President, Fsstus Osifo. However, Key unions which have joined the strike with the impact immediately felt are the Acaeemic Staff Union of universities, ASUU, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, The Nigeria civil service union and unions in the banking insurance and financial institutions as well aa Judiciary and parliamentary staff.
Unlike in the past, where the minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, would quickly release a statement or call for a meeting in a bid to apprehend the action, the ministers of Labour and Employment have remained quiet and adamant to the development which has shutdown the Nation.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
