TUC, NLC INSIST ON NATIONWIDE STRIKE DESPITE COURT ORDER

Babatunji Wusu –

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) instructed their members on Monday to begin mobilizing for a statewide strike in response to the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero.

The National Executive Council directed its affiliates to carry out the resolutions of the National Executive Council.

Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, told journalists on Monday, November 13, that the strike will continue until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

Remember that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) issued an interim injunction last Friday prohibiting members of organized labor and their affiliates from participating in the nationwide strike set to begin on November 14.

Justice Benedict Kanyip, the court’s president, made the decision on Friday while ruling on an ex-parte application.

The motion was presented before the court on behalf of the Federal Government by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and argued by Tijani Gazali (SAN), Acting Director (Civil Appeals), Federal Ministry of Justice.

According to Justice Kanyip, the order will remain in effect until the outcome of the AGF’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions.

Following an unprecedented National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, the NLC and TUC leadership ordered a total nationwide strike.

Following the news, organized labor unions began mobilizing members and allies around the country.

The NLC and TUC made the decision following the brutalization of NLC National President Joe Ajaero last week in Imo State.
The Organised Labour had expressed widespread outrage after accusing Mohammed Barde, the former Commissioner of Police in Imo State, of participating in the recent attack on Ajaero in Owerri, the Imo State capital.