The leadership of organised labour has declared an industrial action starting tomorrow (Tuesday), asking its affiliates to withdraw their services.

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) reached the agreement on Monday at a briefing with reporters in Abuja.

Festus Osifo, the TUC president, said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

The organised labour leaders’ action followed the brutalisation of NLC national president, Joe Ajaero, last week in Owerri, the capital of Imo state.

The police in the state were accused of the brutal attack on Mr Ajaero when he led a protest against the alleged maltreatment of workers in the state. 

The labour unions accused the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde, of complicity in the attack.

However, the police denied arresting Mr Ajaero, stating that he was only taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, redeployed Mr Barde ahead of last weekend’s governorship election in the state last Sunday.

Hope Uzodimma, who returned for a second term tenure in the just-concluded weekend election, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.