Despite Court Order, TUC, NLC Insist On Nationwide Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday directed its members to commence mobilisation for a nationwide strike over the assault on NLC president, Joe Ajaero.

The organised labour directed its affiliates to implement the resolutions of the National Executive Council.

Addressing journalists on Monday, November 13, President of TUC, Festus Osifo, said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

Recall that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) last Friday issued an order of interim injunction stopping members of organised labour and their affiliates from proceeding with the nationwide strike scheduled to commence on November 14.

The president of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, issued the order on Friday while ruling on an ex-parte application.

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

Justice Kanyip said the order shall subsist until the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions equally filed by the AGF.

The NLC and TUC leadership had declared a total nationwide strike after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting last Tuesday in Abuja.

The organized labour unions, following the announcement, commenced mobilisation of members and allies across the country.

The decision was reached by NLC and TUC after the brutalisation of NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, last week in Imo State.

There had been widespread outrage by the Organised Labour accusing the former Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde, of complicity in the recent attack on Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.