The planned strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Imo State failed to materialize as government workers and various sectors continued with their normal activities.
Protesting the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero, the NLC and TUC had declared a strike in Imo, threatening to extend it nationwide if their demands were not met. However, government workers were present at their duty posts at the state Secretariat in Owerri, private companies, banks, and transporters continued with regular operations, and schools remained open.
Despite the strike call, there was no disruption of operations at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, with flights arriving and departing as scheduled. However, the state has been experiencing a power outage for the seventh consecutive day due to the stoppage of electricity supply at the Egbu Transmission Station.
A division within the labor movement was evident, with factions disagreeing over the proposed strike. One faction led by Comrade Ugochukeu Ofoegbu, loyal to Ajaero, directed workers to embark on the strike, opposing the conduct of the governorship election on Saturday. Another faction led by Comrade Phillip Nwansi, recognized by the state government, issued a counter-directive stating that there should be no strike.
The NLC, expressing its goal to prevent the election, faced criticism for its actions, and the Imo State Government maintained that the strike was politically motivated. The government urged security agencies to ensure that the election is not disrupted under the guise of protests.
Despite the divisions within the labor movement, the NLC emphasized that its goal was to pressure Governor Hope Uzodimma to accede to its demands. The government, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the police’s warning against any attempt to disrupt the election, considering it an affront on the nation’s constitutional process.
