Blackout in Imo State Following Assault on NLC President
Following an attack on NLC President in Imo state, residents are facing a blackout. The assault on the Nigeria Labour Congress leader has prompted a halt in electricity services, affecting the local population.
Imo Residents Experience Power Outage after NLC President Attack.
After an attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, residents in Imo state find themselves in the midst of a blackout. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) issued a directive instructing all electricity workers to halt services in response to Ajaero's brutalization.
A portion of the NUEE's statement read: "In response to the atrocious and inhumane behaviour...we will embark on a total shutdown of the Nation if the President of the NLC is not released and adequate explanation given by the Nigerian Government."
This directive was executed in Imo state on Thursday, November 2, as confirmed by Dominic Igwebike, the Acting Secretary of the NUEE. Meanwhile, Ajaero is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.
The incident stems from Ajaero's abduction by security agents on Wednesday, November 1, while he and other NLC leaders, along with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), were preparing to initiate a planned protest and potential strike in protest of various grievances against the Imo State government. These grievances include unpaid salaries, outstanding allowances, and alleged mistreatment of workers.
The Imo State government, led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, has faced multiple allegations, including failure to honor agreements, withholding salary payments, wrongful identification of workers as ghost employees, destruction of the NLC state secretariat, discriminatory pay practices, and neglect of pensioners.
Other charges against the state government involve non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage, harassment of trade union leaders, use of violence and intimidation, mismanagement of union funds, categorizing pensioners as non-existent employees, and systematic intimidation of the workforce, as well as reluctance to engage in discussions.
As of Thursday morning, November 2, reports indicate that NLC President Joe Ajaero is hospitalized, fighting to save his right eye after the violent events of Wednesday, November 1.
