Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, says he does not have a feud with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Aviation unions gave their employees orders on Wednesday to stop providing services to all aircraft from any airport in the nation to Owerri. The unions said their decision was owing to the mayhem unleashed on workers and the state government’s continued insensitivity to their plight.
The development followed a proposed strike in the state by the leadership of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Joe Ajaero, NLC president, was reportedly picked up from the Imo council secretariat of the congress in Owerri by heavily armed police officers last week Wednesday.
NLC said Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded immediately after security operatives arrested him. However, the police command in Imo said Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.
Speaking on the issue Uzodinma said Imo workers are happy with him and that instead of Ajaero to focus on his duty in Abuja, he is interested in how the Labour Party would produce a governor in Imo.
He pointed out that Ajaero was approaching the issue the wrong way, citing that what could have been an advantage, in that the NLC president is from Imo State has become a disadvantage.
“There is no feud between Imo state and organised labour. There is an attempt to factionalise organised labour in Imo state. Government has no link with what is happening there,” Uzodinma said.
The Governor also said the allegation that he is intimidating other political parties in the state is untrue.
“Everybody who knows me know that I am a very humble person. I am God-fearing; I am a Christian. So, how will I change overnight at this age?” he asked.
