By Agnes Nwali
The Labour Party has condemned the violent attack on the national president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero by suspected hoodlums sponsored by the Imo State Government during a workers’ protest.
SpringNews earlier reported that Ajaero was assaulted and arrested by the Nigerian police in Owerri, the Imo State capital while organising a rally to protest against the stalled wage payments for workers in the state on Wednesday morning.
The police absconded with Ajaero when workers started gathering at the state Secretariat of the NLC for the protest – entering in with hoodlums who brandished weapons and attacked the workers, chasing them away.
Reacting to the incident in his statement, the Police PPRO claimed that Joe Ajaero was taken for protection and not arrested as claimed.
At a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, Callistus Ihejiagwa, described the action as unfortunate and undemocratic.
The party chairman also berated the government for using thugs to intimidate the workers who were exercising their rights.
Similarly, The Joint Action Front (JAF), Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM), and the Workers’ Rights Campaign have also all condemned the ill-treatment of Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
The groups also called for a massive protest nationwide to express their displeasure over what Joe Ajaero encountered in Imo on Wednesday morning.