Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abia State chapter, has put its members on standby for immediate, unannounced and indefinite industrial action, should the Police arrest NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
NLC which issued the threat in a circular jointly signed by the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya; and Secretary, Emma Alozie; expressed fury over the invitation by the Nigeria Police to Ajaero over alleged sponsorship of terrorism.
The threat is coming on the heels of the recent invitation to Ajaero for interrogation over his alleged financing of terrorism and treason.
Global condemnation has trailed the action of the police. including their recent invasion of the NLC National Secretariat, Abuja, at the peak of the nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance.
Below is part of the circular made available to Ikengaonline.
“Consequent upon the invitation for interview issued to Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the management, all industrial unions and the workers of Abia Civil Service are by this notice informed as follows:
“That upon any ugly incidence of arrest of the NLC President or any other Labour Leader, sequel to this unjustified and untimely invitation, all workers are to down tools as from 12:00am (mid-night) of the same day.
“Whilst workers wait for further instructions and directives as to mode of engagement which could be strike, protest etc. this information is to serve as our official notice to all concerned.
“The State Government, security Agencies, all Civil Liberty Organizations, the general public, all media houses etc, should take note, even as the workers wait for the next line of action.
“All industrial unions, both in public and private sectors are directed to forward this notice to their units and branches and to commence sensitization and mobilization of their members for total compliance.”
