Nigeria And Its Tyrants

By Lere Olayinka (14/11/2023)

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero was attacked in Imo State where he went to campaign for his Labour Party.

NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) called for a NATIONWIDE STRIKE action!

No doubt, the attack on Ajaero is condemnable and the perpetrators must be made to face the full weight of the law. No Nigerian deserved to be so treated anywhere in the country.

However, should labour unions punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero? Why not limit the strike to Imo State where the attack happened?

Most importantly, if Ajaero’s going to Imo State to lead protest on non payment of workers salary was actually in good faith, why can’t he lead the shutting down of Imo State now that the governorship election is over?

Funny, some Nigerians will be in their homes clapping for the labour leaders for shutting down the entire country because NLC President was attacked in Imo State?

It will not matter that even students must return to their homes and those who are sick can go and die!

That is the NLC and TUC manner of tyranny!

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Now imagine these labour leaders as President or Governors.

I remember in this country when youths took to the streets to protest constant killings and harassments by the Police Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in what was to be known as #EndSARS, Ajaero and his other labour leaders refused to say a single word, except a statement condemning the Lekki Toll Gate killings.

The #EndSars was about police brutality against youths of this country, yet, Ajaero’s NLC ignored it.

On September 26, a promising youth of this country, Greatness Olorunfemi was reportedly stabbed and thrown out of a moving vehicle along the Maitama-Kubwa highway. The medical team at the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja requested a police report and denied her treatment. She died!

No reaction from NLC and TUC on this inhumane act of the staff of Maitama General Hospital, who are members of the NLC.

If because of politics, this nationwide strike is not seen as tyranny, I wonder what qualifies as one.

As for me, punishing all Nigerians in protest against an attack on one man, who is just privileged to be NLC President at this time is the height of tyranny.

What about other Nigerians that have been similarly attacked in the past? Did labour unions say a word in condemnation of their attacks?

I just read that Primary and Secondary school students in Osun State have been sent back home, just because of an attack that took place in Imo State, which the students know nothing about.

Today, Ajaero and his labour unions are enjoying their own tyranny by inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

When, tomorrow, they are faced with other tyrannies of Nigeria, I hope they won’t complain. Because as for me, when you convert your position to an avenue to fight your own personal battle, not minding the welfare of others, you are nothing but a tyrant.

Funny though, but one day in this country, wife of NLC President will miss her flight and labour will declare nationwide strike because the airline refused to wait for her to board the flight before taking off.

Welcome to Nigeria, a country of tyrants!

My name is still Lere Olayinka. I remain on the topmost part of Oke Agbonna in Okemesi Ekiti.