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Reports reaching the desk of The Eastern Updates, is that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is considering flying its national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, abroad for medical treatment following the injuries he sustained from being brutalized by thugs in Owerri, Imo State on Wednesday.
The Eastern Updates had earlier reported Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded by thugs sent by Governor Hope Uzodinma before he was arrested by police officers at the Imo council secretariat of the NLC in Owerri where he had gone to lead a protest against alleged maltreatment of workers by the state government.
He was later taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owerri for medical attention where his health is said to have deteriorated on Thursday evening.
NLC’s head of Information and Public Affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, told The Eastern Updates in a chat on Friday morning that talks were ongoing on the possibility of taking Ajaero outside the country for better medical care due to the nature and severity of his injuries.
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“His health has not picked up and we are worried; we are concerned. Some are already suggesting that he be flown outside the country for a more comprehensive investigation and treatment, so his situation has been deteriorating”, Upah told reporters.
The police command in Imo state had denied arresting Ajaero, claiming that he was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.
While NLC had accused the state government of violating workers’ rights and welfare, the Monday peaceful protest which later turned violent was to demand justice and accountability and ask the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, to honour agreements signed with the labour centre.
Also yesterday, Imo State Governor Uzodinma alleged that Ajaero had not been able to separate his role as national labour leader from his political interest in the state.
The governor disclosed this to State House correspondents on Thursday at the presidential villa after receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag as its flag bearer in the Imo state governorship election scheduled for November 11.
Governor Uzodinma denied owing any salary of workers since he mounted the saddle as governor in 2020.
He said the reverse was the case before his emergence as governor of the state.
