By Michael Paul
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directs all workers in Imo State to proceed on indefinite industrial action.
The NLC in a statement by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the decision to mobilise its members to withdraw their service followed the violent attack on Workers conducting the state Delegates conference to elect new leadership of the state chapter of the Congress.
“This is to protect our members and workers in Imo state from further exposure to the violence that has become apparent in the State,” Ajaero said.
The statements reads in part, “NLC in keeping with its democratic culture and practices had instructed its State Councils throughout the federation to prepare for State Delegates’ Conference. Accordingly, officials of the Congress were deployed to various states to act as Returning officers in the elections that are supposed to usher in new leadership in the respective councils in accordance with the statutes governing our operations. This Conference is taking place today Tuesday, the 7th of March everywhere in Nigeria.
“However, the government of Imo State in their usual characteristics sought to influence the outcome of the elections in the State. This meddlesomeness was resisted by the Delegates who refused the unholy offerings and baits to vote for their chosen candidates. The resolve of the Delegates in session did not go down well with the Government and their agents who resorted to the use of violence to beat up delegates and scatter the venue of the Conference.
“When it was obvious to the Government and their goons that their stooges were going to overwhelmingly lose in the elections, thugs who were armed to the teeth descended on the Delegates inflicting various degrees of injuries on them, chasing them away and carting away materials meant for the conduct of the elections that was supposed to be at the heart of the Conference. As if that was not enough, Security agents led by the Police and the so-called State Investigative Bureau invaded the venue and completed the sordid episode.
“We therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government of Imo state to mind its business and focus more on rendering good governance to the people and allow us continue setting good examples on how transition of power ought to be. They cannot choose our leaders for us and ought to learn from other Governments the nuances of engagement and not this brazen resort to brute force and bloodletting. It is on record that no Government in any other state has resorted to this level of rascality and depravity in engaging our members in this Conference.”
The NLC urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently restrain the Government from destroying the hallowed rules of engagement in the Industrial Relations sphere which demands an understanding of the rights and privileges of the Social Partners.
Ajaero said if nothing is done to restrain the Imo Governor, the NLC will be forced to mobilise its members nation-wide to take action against this violence to avert it from spreading to other parts of the country.
He said, “Consequently, the Imo state government has forced us to withdraw peaceful industrial relations engagement with it starting from tomorrow, Wednesday the 8th day of March, 2023. This is to protect our members and workers in Imo state from further exposure to the violence that has become apparent in the State. Since the safety of workers is no longer guaranteed by the government, it behoves us to protect ourselves by staying at home. This therefore directs all workers in Imo State to proceed on indefinite industrial action.
“Furthermore and sync with our traditions, we announce the establishment of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Congress in Imo State.”