Ajaero on life support, Uzodinma doubles down on him
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, who was battered on Wednesday allegedly by agents of Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, is in a critical condition and may be be flown abroad for medical treatment.
Uzodinma has turned round to accuse Ajaero of meddling in Imo local politics instead of carrying himself as a national leader in the NLC.
The attack took place on Wednesday when members of the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) were at the state secretariat in Owerri to protest, among other grievances, unpaid salaries and allowances, pensions, gratuities, and non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act.
After his release from police detention on Wednesday night, Ajaero, who looked very weak, wore a neck collar with weal all over his skin and was “referred to ophthalmic investigation, a head/brain scan, a full body scan, and cervical spine therapy among other investigations.”
NLC Assistant General Secretary Chris Onyeka lamented Ajaero nearly passed out on Thursday night.
“The Congress President is in a very critical condition. He is so weak and can hardly talk. He almost passed out last night. The Congress is considering flying him abroad for full medical examination,” Onyeka said.
“There is high apprehension and fear that he might have been injected with substance. As you may have seen, he was brutally beaten, brutalised and battered in addition to confiscating his phones, monies and others personal belongings.
“We have suspended the action in Imo State because besides [Ajaero], other Labour leaders suffered a similar fate. They need to take care of themselves and recover from the injuries inflicted on them by agents of the state government including operatives of the Imo State Police Command.”
Public criticism has come in thick and fast over the treatment given to Ajaero who, as a Labour leader, was merely leading a constitutionally guaranteed peaceful protest.
The reactions, as collated by The PUNCH, are reported below:
Peter Obi (Labour Party)
“It shows the level of lawlessness, impunity, criminality, and rascality that have engulfed our dear country. Things like this should worry any discerning mind because it runs counter to the type of country that we all desire and deserve.
“In the New Nigeria of our dreams, abuse of power and the reckless violation of citizens’ rights through acts of impunity will have no place.”
Aviation unions
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) in a joint statement described the action as one of the darkest spots in Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
”We state unequivocally that we stand ready to act as may be directed by NLC to black out Imo State from the aviation map, and take further actions against the person of Hope Uzodinma as we deem fit, until the needful is done.
“By this release, all aviation workers are hereby placed on red alert to stand ready for action against Hope Uzodinma as will soon be directed. Injury to one is injury to all.”
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Textile workers
A statement jointly signed by National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, (NUTGTWN) President John Adaji and General Secretary Ali Baba condemned the unprovoked attack, abduction and near murder of Ajaero.
“We are particularly disturbed that this uncivilised action by the Imo State Governor and the Nigeria Police Force is taking place in a democracy which the organised labour fought for, not military dictatorship.
“We call on Nigerian workers and masses, lovers of democracy, civil society organisations, men and women of good will and the international labour movement to rise up to condemn this brutality carried out by the Nigeria police force and the Imo State Governor against peaceful assembly of workers and their leadership.
ASUP
“It is shocking to read reports of attacks and brutalisation of unarmed workers and the leadership of the NLC to the extent of causing bodily harm to our protesting comrades who were only expressing their constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of association and expression,” Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) National Publicity Secretary Abdullahi Yalwa said in a statement.
“It is depressing to read reports of the active involvement of functionaries of the state government as well as reports of complicity of the Imo State command of the Nigeria Police in this show of shame.”
NUJ
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Secretary Shu’aibu Leman also expressed a similar view in a statement.
“We condemn this dangerous development in its entirety and call for proper investigation and punishment for the perpetrators.
“We are appalled at the treatment meted out to the President of the NLC, Joe Ajero, by sponsored thugs and the Nigeria Police.
“It is in appreciation of this perseverance, strength of character and invaluable contributions to the development of the nation and democracy in the country by labour that we find the entire saga out of tune with reasonable conduct and in bad taste.
“The Imo State Government should be held responsible for any untoward thing that happens to Ajaero or any official of the NLC as a result of this development.”
Ajaero politicising Labour issues in Imo, says Uzodinma
Uzodinma fought back during his visit to the Villa in Abuja, where he accused Ajaero of politicising labour activities in Imo.
“I think it is a very good opportunity for me to clear the air on the so called allegations.
“When I came into Imo State as the Governor on January 15th 2020, from 2020 January till date, there’s no month we have not paid salary before 30th. The situation is that before this time, I thought that the trade union is a democratic entity that allows the opinion of people.
“I don’t pay federal civil servants, I only pay Imo State civil servants and I challenged any Imo State civil servant to come out and say that between 2020 January 15th till date, that he has not received salary in any of the month.
“What has happened in this ugly incident is that the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress is from Imo State and has not been able to demarcate the difference between being a national leader of an organisation and an interested party in local politics. But God will manage the situation.”
