*NLC, TUC special strike grounds activities
*Air passengers stranded at Airport
*Election fever grips party candidates
*Security Agencies flood State
Imo candidates for November 11 election in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States are already embroiled with election high fever, having less than 24 hours to go to the poll on Saturday. They have been reportedly making their last minute prep Barely 8 months after the nation’s general elections in February and March, the trio of Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi, are closing the year with off-cycle governorship elections on 11 November, barely 24 hours away from today.
Conducting governorship elections for three States after the major round of presidential, governorship elections in March that covered about 28 states, including the legislatures in virtually all the states, Abuja inclusive.
These off-cycle elections were caused either by violent electoral outcomes or bitterly fought court decisions.
The candidates of various political parties involved in the elections have drawn battle line with the incumbent governor Uzodimma, vowing to unseat and truncate his bid to clinch a second tenure while the incumbent is fighting the every within his disposal to win the Saturday, November 11, poll.
To further show their readiness, the security Agencies have flooded the concerned States with barrage of Military men, Police Officers DSS operatives to make for a smooth and peaceful poll.
However, the recent attack on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero who was in the State on official capacity, reportedly forced Organised Labour to initiate a total clampdown in Imo, probably to avenge the brutalization of its President.
The strike which made the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) shut down power supply to Imo State since November 01, at the commencement of the botched ‘Occupy Imo State’ rally organised by NLC, to protest the non-payment of salaries to some workers considered ‘ghost workers’ in the State. The protracted power outage has caused businesses and families untold hardship.
The situation took a more frustrating dimension on Wednesday, when the Labour Union ordered a more severe directives the aviation unions including the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), said this in a joint statement.
The joint statement by their General-Secretaries, including Comrades Ocheme Aba; NUATE, Frances Akinjole; ATSSSAN, Abdul Rasaq Saidu; ANAP and Umoh Ofonime, NAAPE, also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports, which means the governor has been banned from entering every airport nationwide.
The statement read: “Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter; and in compliance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the above named unions, being affiliates of NLC and TUC, hereby direct all aviation workers (both public and private) to withdraw all services to all Owerri flights (inwards and outwards) from any airport in Nigeria with effect from midnight of 08/11/2023 (today).
“In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State is hereby declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of bestial tendencies.
“Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide.
“Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, owerri are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC.
“Based on the above, the State Councils and all Branches of the unions will meet today at 5pm in Lagos and Abuja to agree on modalities for carrying out the above directive. The meeting in Lagos will hold at NUATE Secretariat, while that of Abuja will be at GAT (pilgrims’ terminal).
“By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”
The ongoing NLC strike in Imo State has affected flight operations as passengers of various airlines are stranded. The airlines are reportedly awaiting directives from their respective headquarters. Sam Mbakwe international Cargo Airport and its environment is still calm. However, the presence of security operative have increased as Air Peace cancels its flight schedules.
The strike action is of indefinite nature until otherwise directed by NLC and TUC.
However, the power outage remained even as residents were groaning over the hike of commodity prices as a result of the prevailing situation.
