Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have been urged to call off their ongoing nationwide strike for the sake of national interest.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, made the call Wednesday in Abuja adding that the men who attacked NLC president Joe Ajero have been arrested and investigations are ongoing to unravel what happened in Owerri, Imo State where Mr. Ajero was manhandled.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organised Labour led by the NLC and TUC,” said a statement issued by the officer of the NSA
“The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.
“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State,” it said.
The NSA added that it was regrettable what occurred in Owerri: The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
“The Federal Government will never condone such an act. As fallout of the incident, relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits.
“Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
“The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore, appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted” .
