Pengassan Reacts to Joe Ajaero Brutalization.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has condemned the attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

The President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, and Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, in a statement released on Friday, described the attack on Ajaero as an existential threat to the trade union movement in Nigeria.

PENGASSAN further stated that the attack on Ajaero is a blatant violation of human rights and an assault on the principles of democracy, freedom of expression, and association.

Workers in the state had protested over an alleged “serial and habitual abuse and violation” of their rights by the state government.

Police said Ajeoro was taken into custody for his protection, but the NLC said he was brutalized after his arrest.

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, in his reaction to the development, accused the NLC leader of mixing politics with unionism.

Also, Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, condemned the attack on the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.

Ohanaeze charged President Bola Tinubu to call the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to order.

The National President of Ohanaeze youths, Okwu Nnabuike, in a statement released on Friday, accused the Imo State government of promoting violence.

Okwu said the Igbo group was enraged that a few days before the governorship election, state-sponsored terror was still taking root in the state.

He said, “Imo has not known peace; several lives have been lost, including properties worth billions of naira.