Ebikonbowei Alaowei, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), has called upon the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to bring an end to its ongoing nationwide strike, emphasizing the adverse impact on the suffering masses, including Nigerian workers. Alaowei’s plea was communicated through a statement provided to DAILY POST.
He argued that the Labour Union’s decision to paralyze the country is unjustified, particularly considering the personal conflict between its President, the Governor of Imo State, and the Nigeria Police.
Alaowei remarked, “The ones who will bear the brunt of this strike action are the same underpaid Nigerian workers and the unemployed masses. Neither the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, nor the former Commissioner of Police in Imo State will be adversely affected by this strike action. What do the workers stand to gain from this unnecessary strike?”
He suggested that the NLC President, who was allegedly attacked by the police under the supposed directive of Governor Uzodimma, should seek legal redress rather than resorting to a nationwide strike. Alaowei expressed the view that dragging the entire country into a personal matter with government officials is unwarranted.
According to him, there is a pending court order prohibiting the unions from embarking on the industrial action, and he urged the NLC and the TUC to respect the authority of the courts. Alaowei stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law in a constitutional democracy, insisting that court orders must be obeyed by individuals regardless of their societal position. If the labor unions disagree with the court’s order, he suggested that they should appeal instead of disobeying it.