The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have called for an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting. The National Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, confirmed this in an interview on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting aims to review the modalities of the planned strike following the brutalization of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero. It also aims to review the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Government and the Organized Labor on October 2, 2023 following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), which has caused “untold hardship” to Nigerians.
“We will be holding an extraordinary NEC meeting any moment from now. The modalities include the injustice meted upon comrade Ajaero, the planned strike, and the MOU signed with the Federal Government. More details will be revealed after the meeting,” said Tommy Etim.
Organized labor, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, had earlier issued a five-day ultimatum over the arrest of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, by the police in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday. The labour centres 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.
In response, the unions 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. 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, had 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 organizations, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN).
