The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), has condemned the decision of the organised labour to shut down Imo State following a disagreement with the state government.
NANS, in a press conference in Abuja on Thursday by Shedrack Anzaku, the Coordinator of NANS Zone C and Chairman of Zonal Coordinators Forum, said the action of the NLC in the state is beyond unionism.
The organised labour on Tuesday directed its members in the power sector to shut down electricity and fuel supplies in Imo State over the brutalisation of the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, last week allegedly by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
The labour movement, comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) also directed aviation workers to ensure that flights into and outside the state are suspended till further notice.
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The directive was one of the resolutions reached during an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting summoned by both the TUC and NUC on Tuesday afternoon after the expiration of a five-day ultimatum earlier given following the brutal attack on Ajaero by the police in Owerri, Imo State capital.
Unions in the aviation industry on Wednesday carried out the directives of their parent body by withdrawing all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from all airports in Nigeria.
But while addressing the press on Thursday, NANS lamented that Labour was punishing the good people of Imo for an alleged sin of Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
“While we are not happy with the turn of events concerning the attack on Ajaero, we cannot support a situation where Comrade Ajaero hides under that guise to pursue his political agenda and vendetta, thereby punishing an entire State in order to score a political point that is against the spirit of true struggle, no matter the argument anyone may wish to advance.
“Just this morning, the NLC decided to block the road to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and probably, other Airport in the country, thereby disrupting local and international flights and punishing citizens and businesses for issues that they do not even have connection with.
“The truth is that NLC is entitled to its grievances and we support them when they are genuine and logical; but these actions of using its powers and influence to cripple the economy of Imo State, and now, Nigeria as well as punishing every powers and influence to cripple the economy of Imo State, and now, Nigeria as well as punishing every other innocent citizen is unacceptable.”
While calling on the labour leaders to sheath their swords and call off the strike, NANS urged all parties to resolve their grievances amicably.
