By Damilare Adeleye
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have directed its members to commence a nationwide strike on Monday night (today) over the recent assault by the Nigerian Police on Joe Ajaero, NLC president.
The organised labours also directed its affiliates to implement the resolutions of the National Executive Council.
Festus Osifo, President of TUC, who addressed reporters on Monday, November 13, said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”
This is despite a restraining order from the National Industrial Court.
It could be recalled that Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip of the court, following an ex-parte application filed by the Federal Government (FG) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stopped the labour unions from proceeding with its industrial action slated for November 14.
The reason to embark on a nationwide strike by the NLC is due to the FG’s failure to meet the union’s demand following the assault of Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
The conditions, according to the Labour unions, include, “The commissioner of police in Imo State CP Ahmed Barde should not only be investigated but should be removed over his unprofessional behaviour immediately.
“The area commander of the Nigeria Police Force and all other officers in Owerri, through whom the police commissioner supervise the brutalization and humiliation of President Ajaero and all other worker be relieved of his office and stripped of his commission.
“Mr Nwaneri Chinasa, adviser on special duty who supervised the terror of workers and brutality meted to the NLC president to be arrested immediately and prosecuted for his crime against the NLC and workers.
“We demand an immediate 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 inhuman treatment by Hope Uzodimma group be treated by the state and all the properties lost be restored immediately.”
Out of the six demands of the Labour Union, only the removal of the Commissioner of Police CP Ahmed Barde has been effected.