Strike: Don’t reduce yourself to local champion, Oshiomhole tells Ajaero

Adams Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State and the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, has said the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, should not reduce himself to a local champion.

Oshiomhole, who was also a former NLC President, stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.

NLC had declared indefinite strike in Imo over assault on Ajaero, who was alleged to have been brutalized and arrested by the police in the state while leading a protest against the government.

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But during the interview Oshiomhole said, “If you speak about the situation in Imo, I challenge anyone to tell me if the same situation is not prevailing in two or three states in the north. One or two states in the North Central and elsewhere. Why is Imo different? Why can’t you say that any employer who has not paid pension.

“I know for a fact that more than 60% in the state is in default. Make a general policy that every state that is defaulting pensions should not be in peace. It is this selective treatment that is isolating Imo. Even in the last May Day speech you will find the NLC president looking for Imo in a matter that is obtainable in some of the states which went through elections recently.

“What I am saying is that the running of a national organization must deal with national issues. You don’t reduce yourself to a local champion. President of Imo workers is president of Nigerian workers. For a matter affecting other states you can use the same reference.”