The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting in response to recent events. This development was announced by Tommy Etim, the National Vice-President of the TUC, during an interview on Tuesday afternoon.
The primary objective of this meeting is to reassess the strategies and plans for an impending strike, prompted by the reported assault on the NLC's National President, Joe Ajaero. Additionally, the leaders will review the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Federal Government and Organized Labor on October 2, 2023. This agreement was the outcome of negotiations following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, which the labor unions claim has inflicted significant hardship on the Nigerian populace.
Tommy Etim explained, "We will be convening an extraordinary NEC meeting shortly. The issues on the agenda include the injustice against Comrade Ajaero, the planned strike, and the MOU with the Federal Government. Further details will be disclosed after the meeting."
Notably, the organized labor groups, comprising the NLC and TUC, had earlier issued a five-day ultimatum on Friday in response to the arrest of NLC's National President, Joe Ajaero, by the police in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday. Their demands include the removal of the state's commissioner of police and the arrest and prosecution of a government aide accused of being involved in the attack.
The labor unions have also threatened to initiate a nationwide industrial action if their demands are not met within the stipulated five-day period from Friday. Ajaero's arrest occurred in the lead-up to a statewide protest in Imo, a situation clarified by the NLC's Head of Information, Benson Upah.
While the police insisted that Ajaero was taken into protective custody to prevent a potential mob attack, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma accused the labor leader of interfering in the state's political affairs.
The assault on Joe Ajaero has drawn condemnation from various prominent figures in Nigeria, as well as civil society organizations. This includes Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN).
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