Governor Hope Uzodimma believes it is surprising that Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is opposed to the Imo State government.
Uzodimma, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, accused the NLC president of promoting the Labour Party’s agenda in Imo State.
“Joe Ajaero is pursuing his personal interest.
“He (Ajaero) has said times with number that he is a member of Labour Party (LP). He has a candidate in the election of Imo State. So, he is driving whatever programme that will give advantage to Labour Party in Imo State.”
Last Wednesday, Ajaero was subjected to an assault in Owerri, Nigeria, shortly before a state-wide demonstration that was organized to urge the state government to address the concerns of the state’s labor force. The Uzodimma government has provided a denial to the allegations made by the NLC that it oversaw the assault on Ajaero.
Subsequent to the assault on Ajaero, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued directives for the cessation of critical services in Imo and declared a nationwide strike commencing on November 14, 2023, in retaliation.
Workers of aviation unions in Nigeria were instructed on Wednesday evening to cease providing services to all public and private flights departing from Owerri, including those traveling inbound. This directive took effect at midnight. The strike is indefinite, unless otherwise ordered by the NLC and the TUC, according to the unions.
Labour staged a picket line at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, resulting in the suspension of air travel operations at the facility.
According to Uzodimma, the reason for the NLC leader’s hostility toward his administration is unknown, but he eagerly awaits the day when he will confront Labour.
“It’s surprising that an NLC president from Imo State will be hostile to my government,” he said.
The governor added that, in contrast to the NLC’s assertions, his administration has resolved salary backlogs that existed prior to his arrival.
Uzodimma stated that some employees were ghost laborers and others were paid double wages prior to their apprehension.
Elections for governorships will be conducted in the states of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi on November 11, 2023.
Uzodimma is currently running for re-election in Imo, where he faces competition from seventeen other candidates, including Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Achonu Nneji of the Labour Party (LP), and Jack Ogunewe of the Action Alliance, AA.
