Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has tendered an apology for the assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State last week.
Uzodimma tendered his apology while speaking on the matter during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
Premium Politics reported that suspected political thugs had during workers’ protest over unpaid salaries in the state last week Wednesday, brutally attacked the NLC president.
Consequently, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress had declared a strike in the State, resulting in the suspension of all flights to the state as preparations for the governorship election coming up on Saturday were underway.
The organised Labour directed aviation unions to blacklist the Imo airport and had also declared Uzodimma persona non-grata.
Reacting to the development, Uzodimma, who had initially criticized the NLC president for entering the state, expressed regret and apologised for the maltreatment melted on the Labour leader.
He said, “I was unaware of the presence of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in my state. My initial response was to condemn the action. I have never been at odds with the labour union.
“The incident has nothing to do with my government. Whether Joe Ajaero is the president of NLC or not, I would not wish this to happen to any individual. I must apologize because it occurred in my state.
“As a Christian who believes in God, I cannot support violence and would never advocate for it. Whatever transpired, leading to the assault on Joe Ajaero in my state, of which I was unaware, is regrettable, and both my government and I express remorse.
“Moving forward, I also hope he approaches matters in a more civilized manner. That was the essence of my point. For a native of my state to take to the streets without engaging me, without presenting the allegations to me.”
