Governor Uzodinma expresses regret, offering an apology to the NLC president, stating, “I can’t wish this to happen to anybody.”
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has issued an apology for the assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State last week.
Last Wednesday, suspected political thugs attacked the NLC president during a protest by workers demanding unpaid salaries, leading to the NLC and TUC declaring a strike in Imo State and the suspension of all flights to the state in the lead-up to the gubernatorial election.
In an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Governor Uzodimma, who had initially criticized Ajaero for entering the state, expressed regret and apologized for the assault. He clarified that he was unaware of the NLC president’s presence in the state at the time of his initial response.
Uzodimma stated, “The incident has nothing to do with my government. Whether Joe Ajaero is the president of NLC or not, I would not wish this to happen to any individual. I must apologize because it occurred in my state.”
He emphasized his Christian beliefs, stating that as someone who believes in God, he cannot support violence and would never advocate for it. The governor expressed remorse for the incident and hoped for a more civilized approach in the future. He also urged Ajaero to engage in dialogue rather than taking to the streets without presenting allegations directly.
The NLC had directed aviation unions to blacklist the Imo airport and declared Governor Uzodimma persona non-grata in response to the assault.
