Tinubu Rejects NLC, TUC Nationwide Strike, Blames Ajaero for Imo Assault: “An Abuse of Privilege”
- The federal government has condemned the decision of organised labour to embark on a nationwide strike
- The presidency said the move was an attempt by the NLC and the TUC to blackmail President Bola Tinubu's government
- Tinubu's aide, Bayo Onanuga, described the action as unjustifiable, noting it would cause untold hardship in the land
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
State House, Abuja - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has faulted the recent decision of organised labour.
The presidency criticised labour over its directive on a nationwide strike due to the assault on Joe Ajaero, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu tackles NLC, TUC as they call for nationwide strike
In a statement signed by Tinubu's aide, Bayo Onanuga, and shared on his X page (formerly Twitter) on Monday evening, November 13, the president described the decision of the NLC and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart as "clearly unwarranted".
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"It is a move to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC," he said.
Onanuga accused Ajaero of pursuing a personal interest, which led to his assault in Imo state.
He noted further that the industrial action is not justifiable as it would result in undue hardship in the country.
Part of the statement reads:
"We are still at a loss as to the reason the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero whose error of judgment led to the assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo state into a needless strike.
"We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. With the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests it was designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country."
Organised Labour begins indefinite strike
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the NLC and the TUC directed their members to embark on a nationwide strike over the beating of the NLC president, Joe Ajaero.
The unions ordered their affiliates to adhere to the resolution of the National Executive Council of the NLC and implement it from Tuesday, November 14.
Festus Osifo, the TUC president, who spoke to journalists on Monday, November 12, disclosed that the nationwide industrial action would continue until "government at all levels wake up to their responsibility."
Uzodimma shades NLC president Ajaero
Legit.ng earlier reported that Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State and winner of the Imo governorship election held on Saturday, November 11, covertly shaded the NLC president in his acceptance speech.
Earlier on Sunday, November 12, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared and returned Uzodimma as the winner of the Saturday poll after he secured victory in all the 27 local governments in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the governor thanked the leadership of the NLC and their counterpart in the Trade Union Congress for not only supporting him but also coming out with their members to vote for him. He said those who mobilised to stage protest against him were defeated and their "evil conspiracy".
Source: Legit.ng
