From Victor Osula, Abuja
Organized Labour has suspended it nationwide strike. This decision was reached at a joint the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting between the leadership of the Trade Union Congress,TUC, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC after the intervention of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, NSA on Wednesday.
The subsequent meeting of the Federal Government and organised labour on Wednesday, opened a window of discussion with the government after which organised Labour issued conditions to suspend its ongoing nationwide strike.
In a series of post on its official X handle on Wednesday evening, the NLC said Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Imo Governor on Special Duties, who allegedly led the attack on NLC President, Joe Ajaero and other workers in the State must be arrested and prosecuted.
Besides the deployment of the Commissioner of Police, the union said all police officers, as well as thugs involved in the attack on Ajaero should be arrested, prosecuted and dismissed.
It also demanded the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of SP Shaba, the Chief Security Officer in Imo State Government House, who allegedly “led, participated and provided cover for thugs to brutalise workers in Imo State.”
The Union also demanded the arrest, persecution and dismissal of an unnamed police area commander, who allegedly supervised the brutal assault on Ajaero and other workers in the state.
NLC also called for investigation and prosecution of the former Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Barde, for his alleged involvement in the assault of the NLC chief.
While calling on President Bola Tinubu to end the culture of harassment, intimidation, violence and terror in Imo, the NLC said: “This strike is a protest against the emerging culture of state violence and impunity.”
“We would want Nigerians to not lend themselves to the “private matter” narrative being promoted by agents of government as it is intended to divert attention from the real issues.
“Even as no freedom can be greater than the personal liberty of an individual in a popular democracy, which was violently and viciously violated in Imo, what the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria are fighting through this strike action are serial acts of violence/assault and impunity committed against individuals and organisations by the Nigeria Police Force or under their watchful eye or supervision.
“We make haste to cite three instances here even as there are several others within the brief life of this government.”
