FG cautions NLC, TUC against politicising protest

The Federal Government has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) against politicising the alleged maltreatment of the NLC President, Joe Ajeroh saying politics may destroy the labour movement in the country.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo stated this on Thursday.

The Minister maintained that the Aviation Ministry was not involved in the alleged maltreatment of the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajero, by security agents.

Keyamo, who spoke at the opening of a retreat for the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary, Directors and Head of Agencies of the Aviation Ministry, held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State said that the “aviation sector should not be involved in the protest.”

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Keyamo’s call was coming amidst a protest staged at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

Keyamo said, “Their retaliation is aviation. So, please, I want to tell them to leave us alone. Leave aviation alone. You cannot target Aviation in trying to address your grievances.”

He noted that the protest affected foreigners coming into the country as well as citizens going about their normal businesses as, according to him, the protesters disrupted aviation activities by blocking the access road to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.

Keyamo however condemned the alleged maltreatment of the NLC National President, Joe Ajero maintaining that nobody should be manhandled in the country.

“I condemn what happened to my friend, Ajero. Nobody should get fisticuffs. But in the same breath, they should not find themselves in the realm of politics,” he said.

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The Imo State government had in the wake of the assault on Ajaero denied any involvement and accused the labour chief of dabbling into politics.

Although the unions have pencilled November 14th for a nationwide strike owing to the assault on Ajaero, Keyamo is warning them to distance themselves from politics.

“Do not allow the Labour Party to destroy the labour movement. I repeat, do not allow the Labour Party and party politics to destroy the labour movement,” he said.

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“Call the leadership to order. Don’t get steeped into politics, it would destroy the movement.”