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  • Ajaero: Assault on NLC president violation of trade union right – NASU

    Ajaero: Assault on NLC president violation of trade union right – NASU

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has condemned the assault on the president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero by alleged thugs in Owerri, the Imo State capital. 

    Ajaero had led a protest against the Imo state government on Wednesday, November 1, which led to violence.

    The NLC president was taken into protective custody by the police after he was attacked.

    The Congress said that Ajaero was abducted after being brutalized by policemen accompanied by thugs.

    In a statement on Sunday, November 5, in Abuja signed by its general secretary, Peters Adeyemi, NASU bemoaned the role allegedly played by the governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, and the Imo State Commissioner of Police in the incident.

    It said the “barbaric action was a violation of trade union right as well as human right of Ajaero.”

    The statement said: “The despicable action of the Governor and the Commissioner of Police in this regard is a violation of the human and trade union rights of Ajaero. The rights, that Ajaero was exercising in Owerri as the leader of the working people of Nigeria, before the brut show of power that exists only in animal farms, are guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions. Nigeria as a member state of ILO has ratified ILO Conventions on Freedom of Association and Protection of Rights to Organise, 1948 (No.87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, 1949 (No.98).”

    Read Also: Ajaero: NLC, TUC list conditions to avoid nationwide strike Nov 8

    Adeyemi, who is also the Deputy President of Public Service International (PSI), alleged that it was “indeed worrisome that after the State Governor, had morally brutalised Imo state workers through unfair labour practices and unpaid salaries and pension, he then resorted to physical brutalisation of Ajaero, the leader of the workers, who were on a solidarity visit to the workers in Imo State, adding, ‘as usual, he found a ready ally in the Imo State Commissioner of Police.’”

    The statement added: “These acts of the two top State and Federal Government functionaries in Imo State, which are associated only with authoritarian and fascist Governments, were common in Nigeria only during military regimes. The Labour Movement and indeed Nigerians had erroneously believed that these acts had gone with military incursion in the governance of the country. What the Labour Movement failed to understand was that some ‘emperors’ in State government houses are yet to be fully debriefed of military mentality.”

    NASU called on the Inspector General of Police to remove the Imo State Commissioner of Police for indulging in the alleged “heinous crime under the guise of keeping Ajaero under so-called ‘protective custody.’”

    NASU also urged President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, direct the investigation of the actions of the Imo State Governor and the Imo State Commissioner of Police, their agents, and officials and prosecute all those found culpable.

    The statement added: “Failure to do so, the President will be unintentionally sending a loud message to the nation, that they should be expecting a clampdown on trade union leaders and activists, whenever there is a dispute between the government and labour. NASU says no to authoritarianism and fascism in public administration and governance in Nigeria. It cannot be business as usual anymore.”

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  • NLC, TUC threaten strike over attack on Ajaero

    NLC, TUC threaten strike over attack on Ajaero

    • Demand removal of Imo Police Commissioner, others • Fix strike for Nov 8 if demand is not met

    The organised labour yesterday threatened to embark on a nationwide strike beginning from Wednesday next week unless certain conditions are met by the federal government.

    The threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to down tools followed the attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero by suspected thugs in Owerri, Imo State capital.

    Ajaero, who was in Owerri on Wednesday to mobilise workers for a “shut down” of the state, was attacked at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, following which the police said the labour leader was taken into “protective custody”.

    At a joint briefing held in Abuja yesterday by Deputy Presidents of NLC and TUC, Adewale Adeyanju and Etim Oko, the labour leaders expressed disappointment on the “deafening silence of the Federal Government, and the extent to which men of the Nigeria Police in Owerri could go in meting out harm to peaceful protesters and newsmen in a bid to ensure evidence of their acts were confiscated.”

    Labour said it was “irritated” by the defence put forward by the Imo State Police Command that they had only taken Ajaero into protective custody from where he had emerged, “battered, concussed, puffed-eyed, debilitated and condemned” with threats of death before the timely intervention of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who ordered his immediate release.

    According to labour, “Ajaero, who was blindfolded, beaten to a pulp, brutalised, humiliated and violated by police personnel before he was taken to an unknown destination where he was subjected to more battering and torture, could not recognise the people around him, neither could he walk without being aided or supported when he was released.”

    It added: “At first contact with him at the Police Hospital at 3:30 pm, Ajaero was described to have a puffed right eye that was black and shut, one of his ears has tiny trace of dried blood, his speech was slurred and incoherent even as he had welts all over him, before he was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where he was referred for ophthalmic investigation, a head and brain scan, a full body scan, Chest X-Ray, and cervical spine therapy among other investigations, and promptly fitted with a neck collar.”

    At yesterday’s press briefing, labour demanded investigation of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Barde, and his immediate deployment away from the state for his “serial complicitous and unprofessional behaviour and conduct.

    Read Also: Ajaero: NLC, TUC list conditions to avoid nationwide strike Nov 8

    It made other demands as follows: “The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force and all other Officers and Men in Owerri through whom the Police Commissioner supervised the brutalisation and humiliation of Comrade Ajaero and other workers be relieved of his (sic) office and stripped of his commission;

     “Mr Nwaneri Chinasa, Adviser on Special Duties, who supervised the terror on workers and bestial brutality meted out to Congress President Comrade Joe Ajaero, be arrested immediately and prosecuted for his crimes against workers and the President.

    “We demand an immediate, independent and unbiased thorough professional medical examination of Comrade Ajaero in light of the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on him.

    “Other workers and journalists subjected to this inhuman treatment by the Police and the Hope Uzodimma’s goons be treated by the State and all the properties lost be restored immediately.

     “All the outstanding industrial relations issues as previously agreed with the Imo State Government be implemented immediately.

    “We further resolved that in the event the Government fails to comply with any or all of the conditions above-stated, NLC, TUC and their affiliates will no longer guarantee industrial peace in Nigeria beginning Wednesday the 8th of November, 2023 while a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the two Labour Centres will meet to decide on the next course of action.”

    The statement added: “We find it appropriate to let Nigerians know the sequence of events that led to our going to Owerri for a peaceful protest, but which was aborted by the police and hoodlums recruited by the State Governor.

    “This has become necessary so they do not fall victim to government’s propaganda or police’s disinformation and misinformation.

    “We heard police fiction that we disobeyed a court order but we want to know which court order. Our lawyer was in court last week and the matter was adjourned to today. 

    “Let us assume there was a court order. When was it granted and where was it granted? How was the order obtained and on whom was it served and when?

    “Comrade Ajaero was not the only one beaten and arrested by the police but he was the major target, thus received the most bestial and reprehensive treatment.

    “He was stripped of his dignity as a human being and as President of the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC). He was also stripped of his personal items including phones, money and other electronic gadgets. His vehicle was smashed and tyres ripped open.

    “Others who were also beaten by the police included workers, the TVC crew who were arrested and detained, they had their cameras seized for filming and being in possession of evidence the police would not want the world to see. The Arise Tv crew narrowly escaped being brutalised.

    “Earlier, hoodlums sent by the State Governor had stationed themselves around the streets leading to the Secretariat, beating up workers who had reported at the secretariat and dispossessing them of their personal items including money, phones and laptops.”

    Labour said it was worried that it has become criminal for workers in Nigeria to gather for a peaceful protest “when Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and the International Conventions like the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights including ILO conventions 87 and 98 guarantees the rights to Freedom of Association and the Right to Bargain collectively.

    “It is more absurd that these infractions will even happen at all and still continue to happen, especially when Nigeria seats as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the ILO.”

  • Ajaero: NLC, TUC list conditions to avoid nationwide strike Nov 8

    Ajaero: NLC, TUC list conditions to avoid nationwide strike Nov 8

    The organised labour has listed some conditions that must be met to avoid a nationwide strike following the attack on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, by suspected political thugs in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

    Labour said it could not guarantee industrial harmony in the country from November 8, 2023.

    Ajaero, who mobilised labour leaders to Owerri on Wednesday, November 1, was attacked and “severely injured,” by thugs allegedly sponsored by the state government, according to the NLC.

    At a joint briefing in Abuja on Friday, November 3, by Deputy Presidents of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Adewale Adeyanju and Etim Oko, the labour unions expressed their disappointment on the “deafening silence of the federal government, and the extent to which men of the Nigeria Police in Owerri could go in meting out harm to peaceful protesters and newsmen in a bid to ensure evidence of their acts were confiscated.”

    Labour noted it was “irritated” by the defence put forward by the Imo State Police Command that they had only taken Ajaero into protective custody from where he had emerged, “battered, concussed, puffed-eyed, debilitated and condemned” with threats of death before the timely intervention of the National Security Adviser; Nuhu Ribadu who ordered for his immediate release.

    According to Labour, “Ajaero who was blindfolded, beaten to a pulp, brutalised, humiliated, and violated by police personnel before he was taken to an unknown destination where he was subjected to more battering and torture, could not recognise the people around him neither could he walk without being aided or supported when he was released.”

    They said: “At first contact with him at the Police Hospital at 3:30 pm, Ajaero was described to have a puffed right eye that was black and shut, one of his ears had a tiny trace of dried blood, his speech was slurred and incoherent even as he had welts all over him before he was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where he was referred for ophthalmic investigation, a head and brain scan, a full body scan, Chest X-Ray, a full body scan and cervical spine therapy among other investigations and promptly fitted with a neck collar.”

    Read Also: Why APC will win Kogi, by Bello

    The labour’s demands read: “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command; CP Ahmed Barde should not only be investigated and deployed out of Imo state for his serial complicitous and unprofessional behaviour and conduct immediately;

    “The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force and all other Officers and Men in Owerri through whom the Police Commissioner supervised the brutalisation and humiliation of Comrade Ajaero and other workers be relieved of his office and stripped of his commission;

    “Mr Nwaneri Chinasa, Adviser on Special Duties who supervised the terror on workers and bestial brutality meted out to Congress President; Comrade Joe Ajaero be arrested immediately and prosecuted for his crimes against workers and the President.

    “We demand an immediate, independent and unbiased thorough professional medical examination of Comrade Ajaero in light of the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on him.

    “Other workers and journalists subjected to this inhuman treatment by the Police and the Hope Uzodimma’s goons be treated by the State and all the properties lost be restored immediately.

    “All the outstanding Industrial Relations issues as previously agreed with the Imo state Government be implemented immediately.

    “We further resolved that in the event the Government fails to comply with any or all of the conditions above-stated, NLC, TUC and their affiliates will no longer guarantee industrial peace in Nigeria beginning Wednesday the 8th of November, 2023 while a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the two Labour Centres will meet to decide on the next course of action.”

  • Uzodimma faults NLC claim on Ajaero

    Uzodimma faults NLC claim on Ajaero

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma yesterday shed light on the crisis rocking the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in his state.

    He blamed it all on NLC President Joe Ajaero who he accused of “mixing partisanship with Labour affairs”.

    The governor spoke to the crisis during an interview with State House reporters in Abuja after receiving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) flag from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as candidate in the November 11 poll.

    Uzodimma was in the company of the party’s stand bearers Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Usman Ododo (Kogi). The duo also got the APC flags from the President.

    Ajaero, who was in Owerri on Wednesday to mobilise workers for a “shut down”  of Imo, was attacked at the Sam Mbakwe Airport before security operatives moved in “to take him to a protective custody”.

    The NLC rejected the police claim on protection for Ajaero, saying the police were part of his attackers.

    Uzodimma accused Ajaero of being unable to distinguish his role as a national Labour leader and being a partisan Imo State indigene. 

    As the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the state, the governor said he intervened to stop the dissolution of the state chapter of the NLC, whose tenure he said had not expired.

    On why Ajaero was attacked in the state, Uzodimma said: “I wanted you people to be very careful because there is an attempt to mix up partisan politics or an attempt to blackmail my government, but I can tell you that my people are already aware of that.

    “That was why the NLC (Imo State chapter) addressed a new conference that what their national leadership is doing is not correct and that they are not going to do any strike or protests and in the process, they decided to dissolve them to put in a caretaker.

    “Of course, I’m the Chief Security Officer and I have a responsibility to intervene. I encouraged the national leadership not to dissolve a management team that their tenure has not expired and that was what they did.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    “I don’t interfere with Labour matters, but I have convinced my workers in Imo State to believe in me and that trust is what opposition parties are trying to fight.

    “But, I can assure you that Imo people already have taken that decision.

    Labour, FMC differ on treatment claim

    The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, disagreed with Lanour union’s claim that Ajaero will be flown abroad to treat the injuries he sustained because he could not be treated in the facility.

    NLC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Benson Upah said Ajaero will be travelling overseas to treat the injuries he sustained during the botched workers protest.

    Upah claimed that Ajaero was first taken to the police hospital where he was given first aid treatment but because there were no facilities to treat him there, he was taken to the FMC.

    The Labour official said: “What happened was that at 3.30pm on Wednesday, we were able to make contact with him. The police rushed him to the police hospital but there were no facilities there to treat him; from there to the FMC where they found out that he needed Ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography to scan his eyes, as well as another machines to scan his brain and ear.

    “The FMC couldn’t handle all these and our conclusion is to fly him out of the country where his condition can be handled.”

    But the FMC spokesman, Dr. Josy Achonu, counter the claim by the Labour official. He insisted that the hospital has full accreditation for all its departments.

    Mrs. Achonu said: “All our departments including the Ophthalmology department have full accreditation.”

    She further informed that every consultant was around to treat Ajaero, adding that the hospital bills were written off on the orders of the Chief Medical Director.

    She said: “All consultants were present to treat him and he was treated free of charge. Our MD gave a directive that his bill be offset. So, he was given the best of treatment and even the NLC members have come to the hospital to thank us.”

  • BREAKING: Uzodimma breaks silence, accuses Ajaero of interfering in Imo politics

    BREAKING: Uzodimma breaks silence, accuses Ajaero of interfering in Imo politics

    Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has accused the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, of interfering in the state’s politics.

    The Nation reports organised labour had accused Uzodimma, of conspiring with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Barde, to “abduct” their president.

    Ajaero, during a press briefing earlier in the week, had accused the Imo State government of “violating the rights of the Nigerian workers in the state,” and therefore vowed to mobilise members of the union in the state for a total strike.

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    Reacting, the Imo state government, said the presence of Ajaero, in Owerri, the state capital, to lead a protest was in defiance of a court order.

    Ajaero was said to have been arrested by men of the Imo State Police Command while leading a protest in the state on Wednesday.

    But the command said he was only rescued from a mob and put in protective custody.

    Ajaero was seen in a viral video, sitting between two men while he was being rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

    Uzodimma who spoke after receiving the All Progressives Congress’ flag from President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday, November 2, said: “What has happened in this ugly coincidence is that the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress is from Imo State and has not been able to demarcate the difference between being a national leader of an organisation and then an interested party in local politics.”

  • What happened to Ajaero is shocking, Peter Obi laments

    What happened to Ajaero is shocking, Peter Obi laments

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has expressed shock over reports of NLC President, Joe Ajaero assault.

    The Nation reported that the NLC president was in Owerri on Wednesday, November 1, to mobilize Imo workers for a protest rally in the state over an alleged violation and abuse of the rights and privileges of workers by the state government.

    During this protest a scuffle broke out which led to the injuries sustained by Comrade Ajaero, he is now reportedly being flown abroad for better treatment.

    Peter Obi commented on the issue on his X (Former Twitter) page, he wrote: “What happened to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo state, yesterday has come as a rude shock to most Nigerians. It says a lot about the state of affairs in our country today.

    Read Also: Peter Obi expresses shock over 20 headless bodies, countless skeletons found in Abia

    “It shows the level of lawlessness, impunity, criminality, and rascality that have engulfed our dear country. Things like this should worry any discerning mind because it runs counter to the type of country that we all desire and deserve.

    “In the New Nigeria of our dreams, abuse of power and the reckless violation of citizens’ rights through acts of impunity will have no place.”

    Ajaero supported Peter Obi in the February 25 Presidential election.

  • BREAKING: Ajaero to be flown abroad for medical care – NLC

    BREAKING: Ajaero to be flown abroad for medical care – NLC

    The president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, is to be flown abroad for medical treatment for the injuries he sustained during a scuffle in Imo state.

    The NLC president was in Owerri on Wednesday, November 1, to mobilize Imo workers for a protest rally in the state over an alleged violation and abuse of the rights and privileges of workers by the state government.

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    However, the planned peaceful protest turned violent with allegations that thugs emerged and descended on the protesters and labour leaders.

    Speaking to The Nation on Thursday, the NLC publicity secretary, Benson Upah, said the NLC president could not be treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri because of the nature of the injuries he sustained during the scuffle.

    Details shortly…

  • Police: Ajaero held to protect him

    Police: Ajaero held to protect him

    There was a dramatic twist to the strike called by the Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday after violence broke out.

    NLC president Joe Ajaero was taken into protective custody by the police after he was attacked.

    The Congress said he was abducted after being brutalised by policemen accompanied by thugs.

    The Imo government said it had no hand in Ajaero’s ordeal.

    The strike went on despite an injunction by the National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri.

    The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) knocked Ajaero for embarking on a protest in defiance of the order.

    NLC Head of Information and Publicity, Comrade Benson Upah, said Ajaero was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri.

    He said Ajaero’s right eye was completely shut after he was beaten.

    Upah said: “Contact was made with Comrade Ajaero around 15:30 hours at the Police Hospital in Owerri from where he was taken to FMC where he is receiving medical attention.

    “Thoroughly brutalised, his right eye at the time of contact was completely shut.

    “Ajaero was beaten up and blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalisation took place, sometimes with bottles.

    “His phones, money and other personal effects were taken off him and have not been returned to him.”

    But the police said Ajaero was taken into protective custody.

    Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, in a statement by command spokesman Henry Okoye, said the NLC president was in Owerri for the mega rally.

    According to him, a scuffle broke out at the airport with some workers during picketing, which resulted in a heated argument and an eventual attack on Ajaero.

    He said the command deployed operatives and the officer in charge exercised his discretion to take the Labour leader into protective custody.

    The statement reads: “The Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of Comrade Ajaero in Owerri.

    “It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilise workers for a mega protest rally in the state.

    Read Also: Imo Protest: NLC president Ajaero hospitalised, rushed to Owerri FMC

    “In the course of their planning, it was reported that suggestions arose for the lockdown of some essential facilities, particularly the airport, which led to some workers and other individuals resisting the picketing process, leading to scuffles and heated arguments and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.”

    “Upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the Officer in Charge exercised his operational discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life and that he was not lynched in the scuffle that followed.

    “The Commissioner of Police thereafter directed that he should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack. 

    He has, therefore, been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day.

    “It is, however, necessary to emphasise the existence of a court injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria holden in Owerri with Suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023 dated 27th October, 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.”

    Barde urged all concerned to ensure compliance with the order to avoid jeopardising security arrangements ahead of the November 11 governorship election.

    The Imo government denied any involvement.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba said those accusing the government of arresting Ajaero were perennial mischief makers always crying wolf where there is none.

    He noted that the Imo chapter of the NLC complied with the court order by pulling out of the “illegal” strike.

    He wondered what Ajaero was doing in Owerri in defiance of the court, which warned of severe consequences for disobedience.

    He said information at the government’s disposal indicated that there might have been a fiasco between lawful workers and lawless invaders from Abuja, which led to police intervention to maintain the peace.

    Emelumba stressed that the state government had no hand in the arrest since it believes in the rule of law.

    The Labour Party group led by Apapa, in a statement by its spokesman Abayomi Arabambi, accused Ajaero of trying to overthrow the Hope Uzodimma Administration.

    “The LP condemned in its entirety the moves by the leadership of the organised labour unions, particularly the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in using strike and unlawful protests to commit contempt of court and unlawfully trying to intimidate the governor.

    “The NLC has become a political instrument…for grounding the country.

    “The police and security agencies should charge the arrested Ajaero to court for conniving with the illegal faction of the LP loyal to Peter Obi to cause political instability in the country,” Apapa said.

    He added: “Orders of court as made must be obeyed until set aside. While it is not desirable for the courts to make unbridled orders, and courts should not do anything to put a clog in the wheel of justice, orders of the court are to be respected and obeyed. 

    “The dignity and honour of court cannot be maintained if its orders are treated disdainfully and scornfully without due respect.”

  • Police deny arrest of NLC president Ajaero in Imo

    Police deny arrest of NLC president Ajaero in Imo

    The Imo state police command has denied reports alleging the arrest of the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

    The police commissioner, Mohammed Barde, denied this in a statement on Wednesday, November 1, by the police public relations officer, Henry Okoye.

    According to him, the NLC president who was in Owerri for the mega really in the state was involved in a scuffle at the Airport with some workers and individuals during a picketing process leading to a heated argument and an eventual attack on the NLC president while trying to picket.

    He said on receiving the report, the command deployed police operatives to the scene where the officer in charge used his discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life.

    The statement reads: “The Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

    Read Also: 10 things to know about NLC president Joe Ajaero

    “It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilize workers for a mega protest rally in the state.

    “In the course of their planning, it was reported that suggestions arose for the lockdown of some essential facilities particularly the airport which led to some workers and other individuals resisting the picketing process leading to scuffles and heated arguments and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.

    “Upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the Officer in Charge exercised his operational discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life and that he was not lynched in the scuffle that followed.

    “The commissioner of Police thereafter directed that he should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack. He has therefore been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day.

    “It is however necessary to emphasize the existence of a court injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria held in Owerri with Suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023 dated 27th October 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.”

    Barde, therefore, urged all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the court directives so as to avoid jeopardizing the current security arrangements in Owerri and other parts of Imo state, “even as the state gears up for the forthcoming electioneering process on 11th November 2023.”

  • United Labour Congress not NLC’s faction, says Ajaero

    United Labour Congress not NLC’s faction, says Ajaero

    The President of United Labour Congress (ULC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has said the group is not a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    He said Section 40 of the Constitution says one can form or belong to any trade union of one’s choice, religion or political group and that it was in the exercise of this that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) was registered.

    Speaking with reporters, Ajaero said the Obasanjo regime in 2002/2003 realised that under a democratic environment, one could not compel people to remain in one room even if they don’t want to be there.

    “Incidentally, TUC was registered as the first labour centre with number 001. NLC doesn’t have a registration number today, up till now.

    “If somebody is telling you about registration or no registration, they have not done that. If it is all about receiving licence or certificate after the amendment of plural labour centres, they don’t have that. Let nobody deceives himself, TUC is 001 and there is no 002 as at today.

    “In as much as I wouldn’t want to go into controversy, the atmosphere has been opened for people to belong to labour centres with some criteria; which is to avoid mush-rooming of labour centres,”  Ajaero said.

    He explained that there are three labour unions, adding that the three can still not fully address workers’problems.

    “Since the unfortunate thing that happened in NLC in the last two years, I will tell you that nobody from my own group of the NLC attended to their problems, nobody, whether when we were picketing Ikeja or whatever, it is internal here.

    “We have sat down, we thought in various ways about it. How do we do this? We resolved to forget about it.

    “We discovered that even the people we are equally operating with will not agree on any of those issues we have decided jointly. We discovered that on a daily basis, it is either they are sending Police, or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or whatever to you to say you did this or that. Or they arranging some people from their own sector to send petition against you. The solution to the crisis is what has happened,” Ajaero added.