- Ribadu condemns the incident in Imo, stating it violates the rule of law and freedom of association and expression, as endorsed by President Tinubu’s administration.
- Earlier, the Federal Government had gone to court to restrain labour, but the strike commenced on Monday, paralysing activities across the nation.
On Wednesday, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu expressed regret to organised labour for the November 1 attack on Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero in the Imo State capital of Owerri.
After storming Owerri to spearhead a demonstration, Ajaero suffered hours of harsh beatings while in custody.
As a result, the workers union threatened to launch a statewide strike if the government did not accede to certain demands, among them the arrest of individuals responsible for the attack on Ajaero.
Although the Federal Government had filed a lawsuit to impose labour restrictions, the strike started on Monday and caused a nationwide disruption to all activities.
In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu urged the movement to rescind its decisions on the ongoing strike , adding that attackers of Ajaero have been arrested and investigations had commenced.
Ribadu said the federal government regrets the incident that happened in Imo and condemns it in its entirety, noting that it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Tinubu and his administration.
The statement read, “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.
“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 Joseph Ajero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
“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 a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances sorrounding 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.”
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