The leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has jointly declared a nationwide strike starting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. This decision was reached during an unusual meeting of the National Executive Council held in Abuja.
Both major labor unions have initiated a nationwide mobilization campaign among their members and supporters. The catalyst for this action was the recent assault on NLC National President Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
The Organized Labour expressed widespread outrage and accused Imo State’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, of being involved in the attack on Ajaero in Owerri, the state capital. In response, the Organized Labour issued a five-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the replacement of the police commissioner and holding Governor Hope Uzodimma accountable for the attack, although the governor denied any involvement.
Furthermore, the Organized Labour called for the arrest and prosecution of some of the governor’s aides, threatening a nationwide strike if their demands were not met. In anticipation of the November 11, 2023, Imo State gubernatorial election, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, redeployed Barde for the sake of impartiality.