Planned Strike: NLC and TUC Call For ‘Special’ NEC Meeting

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have convened what they are terming an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The National Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, made this announcement during an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday afternoon.

The primary objective of this meeting, as described by Etim, is to assess the plans for an impending strike in response to the assault on the NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero.

Additionally, the meeting aims to reevaluate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour on October 2, 2023. This MOU was drafted in the wake of the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, which has led to severe hardships for Nigerians. Etim stated, “We will be convening an extraordinary NEC meeting shortly.”

The subjects under consideration at the meeting encompass the injustices faced by Comrade Ajaero, the impending strike, and the MOU inked with the Federal Government. Further details will be disclosed post-meeting.

The report highlights that organized labor, represented by the NLC and TUC, had issued a five-day ultimatum on Friday following the earlier arrest of NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, by the police in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday.

The labor unions demanded the reassignment of the state’s commissioner of police and the arrest and prosecution of a government aide allegedly responsible for the attack. They also issued a nationwide industrial action threat if their demands were not met within five days starting from Friday. Ajaero’s arrest took place prior to a statewide protest in Imo.

This information was provided by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah. However, the police denied the arrest, stating that Ajaero was taken into protective custody to prevent potential harm from a mob. The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labor leader of interfering in the state’s political affairs.

The attack on Ajaero has received condemnation from numerous prominent Nigerians and civil society organizations, including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, and human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).