National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has tendered Ab apology to the Nigerian organized labour over the assault on the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
Ajaero, who had joined workers in Owerri the state capital to protest against the unfair treatment of workers in the state was arrested and beaten.
The organized labour had issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government with conditions to be met, including arresting the culprits of the assault or they would embark on a strike.
While the Federal Government had obtained a court order restraining the unions from embarking a strike, the organized labour kicked off with its strike on Monday, 12 Nov.
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 unions to halt their strike plan, also revealing that the men behind the president’s assault have been apprehended.
Ribadu expressed regret over the incident and asserted that the act was wrong and against the tenets of democracy that the president stands by.
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.”
