Police, Labour clash likely over sabotage threat in Imo
The police and Labour are on a collision course in Imo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
As the police prepare to secure the state before and during the poll, Labour has launched an action plan.
It announced a strike, paralysis of air travel in and out of Owerri, the state capital, and electricity and fuel supply cuts to the state beginning today.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said yesterday that the measures were their reactions to last week’s attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero and the state’s alleged refusal to pay some workers.
Police sources said the action plan announced by Labour is “nothing but sabotage which will not be tolerated.”
A source explained that security would not fold its arms and allow anything to stop the election and thereby create a constitutional crisis.
“You know what it means to prevent an election from being held to elect the governor of a state. It is a major constitutional crisis in a sub-national entity,” the source, who declined to be quoted, said.
The source urged Labour leaders to re-examine their plans in the country’s interest.
NLC and TUC yesterday directed all workers and affiliates to comply with the resolution of the joint National Executive Council (NEC) “wherever they are”.
Labour and the Imo government have been at loggerheads.
Ajaero, who hails from there, threatened to shut down the state.
The Imo NLC disowned the protest plan.
The state government obtained an injunction against Labour action from the National Industrial Court (NIC).
Despite the order, Ajaero arrived in Owerri for the “Occupy Imo plan” last Thursday.
While leading a picketing at the airport, Ajaero was beaten up.
The police, thereafter, took him into “protective custody”.
Angered by the beating, the two Labour Centres last Friday threatened a nationwide strike after tabling five demands, including the redeployment of Commissioner of Police Mohammed Barde.
On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun redeployed Barde.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, told reporters after the joint NEC meeting that Labour would embark on strike Tuesday if the issues are not addressed.
A communique reads: “The Joint NEC-in-session unanimously condemned in very strong terms the brutal and beastly actions of Hope Uzodimma, his goons and the Nigeria Police.
“To this end, the joint NLC/TUC NEC-in-session observed that whereas:
-the decision to embark on an industrial action in Imo was purely in keeping with its earlier resolution.“The Imo government under Hope Uzodimma heartlessly continues in its abuse of the rights and privileges of workers in the state viz: refusal to implement previous agreements.
“The government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9th, 2021, between the government and Organised Labour.”Labour also claimed that outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid, with some workers subjected “to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers’”.
Labour alleged intimidation and harassment of workers by the statement government, noting that its demands remain unmet.
The communique added: “Consequently, the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session resolved as follows: to order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo beginning midnight today (yesterday).
“All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo, fuel supplies and electricity be stopped immediately as applicable.
“All public and private sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely.
“If our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023.
“All state councils of NLC & TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision.”
Three killed in Kogi
Security operatives yesterday killed three persons suspected to be political thugs during a gun duel.
Kogi Command spokesman, William Aya, said the shootout occurred during a
search of a building where “political thugs are being housed by political parties.”
He said the police received credible intelligence on cases of violence in Kogi East Senatorial District.
Aya said there was an attack on a police team yesterday, during which an AK-47 rifle was snatched.
He said the special operation was carried out by the police, State Security Service (SSS) the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“During the cordon and search operation, the team, even after identifying themselves, came under serious gunfire.
“Three of the political thugs were gunned down and two AK–47 rifles were recovered.
“Two members of the team sustained gunshot injuries and seven suspects were arrested,” the spokesman said.
Aya added that raids on hideouts will be sustained ahead of Saturday’s governorship election
