Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, has said error of judgment by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, led to his assault in Imo State.
He said the incident at Owerri was a personal matter between Ajaero and the state government, wondering why it led to a nationwide strike despite a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court.
According to Onanuga, the action by the two labour centres was an ego tripping which is clearly unwarranted, adding that it is ochestrated to blackmail the government.
“We are still at a loss as to the reason the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to the assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike,” Onanuga stated.
He said though the Federal Government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of social and economic status, the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Ajaero.
“The Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened, has been transferred out of the state. Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege.
“Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest,” he stated.
The presidential aide also noted that the national economy and social activities need not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.
“This flagrant disobedience to court order and lack of respect to the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour should champion.
“The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order.
“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable, and irresponsible. The strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests it was designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country,” Onanuga added.
