Release Ajearo Today Or……

The Organised Labour has threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajearo who was arrested in Owerri is not released by the end of today (Wednesday).

Ajaero was reportedly arrested in Owerri, the capital of Imo State earlier on Wednesday during a protest by workers in Imo State over an alleged “serial and habitual abuse and violation” of their rights by the state government.

According to NLC Head of Information, Benson Upah, Ajaero was picked up from the NLC State Council Secretariat by heavily armed policemen in Owerri and taken to an unknown destination.

In a joint statement by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shortly after Ajaero’s arrest, the Labour unions accused the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Commissioner of Police of abducting the NLC leader.

The release signed by NLC Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja and TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, asked the workers to be on alert for immediate action, noting that the workers cannot be at work while the NLC President is in the gulag.

The release further read in parts, “We call on Nigerian workers, wherever they may be; in the respective industrial Unions; the state Councils and the Branches to be on alert for an immediate
nationwide action if by the end of today, the President of the Congress is not
released.

“We cannot be at work while our President is in the gulag and we cannot
be at peace when the Government of Imo state continues to disrespect workers and treat them with utter disdain.

“With this statement, we want to put the Nigerian Government on notice that we want the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) immediately released.

“The injuries meted to him must be treated forthwith and his freedom to lead Nigerian workers in a peaceful protest guaranteed. This is what we demand as we proceed
to the meetings of the various Organs to take decisions on further steps that will
be taken.

“If this is not heeded now, anything that happens in the Country, the
Governor of Imo State and the Police Commissioner must be held responsible.
Nigeria is a Country of Laws and we especially the leaders must learn to work within its ambits.

“The IGP who is in the State must call his operatives to order to avoid loss of lives, properties and further injuries on innocent workers in Imo
State. Workers in Imo State must be free and we must all join hands to ensure that this happens.

“Hope Uzodimma must be called to order by the President and Commander in
chief of the Armed forces to avert what he has chosen to turn the state into a den of thugs and blood suckers. We will press on with our engagement as trade
unions until the Government listens to the demands of the workers.

“The Governor should not be deluded into thinking that today’s violence will stop our resolve and determination to save the workers of Imo state. It has rather encouraged us to organize more so that we will engage him more creatively and
effectively.

“Once again, we call on the Police to immediately release the President of Congress without further delay.”