Unions in the aviation industry have directed the withdrawal of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from all airports in Nigeria.This is in response to the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) following last week’s brutalisation of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

But Imo Patriots’ League (IPL) described the industrial action in Imo as plot to derail Saturday’s governorship election in the state. This was as concerned Imo Indigenes in Diaspora (IID) called on the residents to come out on November 11 and stop extrajudicial executions in the state with their votes.

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.

General Secretary of NUATE, Ocheme Aba; and his counterparts from ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole; ANAP, AbdulRasaq Saidu and NAAPE’s Umoh Ofonime, in the statement, also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo persona non grata in all airports.

The statement reads: “Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by Uzodimma’s government and continued insensitivity of the government over the matter, and in compliance with the directive of the joint National Executive Council (NEC) session of NLC and 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 November 8, 2023.

“In addition, the person of Uzodimma, the governor of Imo, 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 Uzodimma worldwide.

“Further, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri are, hereby, directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight of November 8 as directed by NLC and TUC.”

IPL accused the NLC President of masterminding the strike for his personal interest. In a press briefing in Owerri, yesterday, convener of the group, Jones Onwuasoanya, said the state had lost over N500 billion since Ajaero allegedly directed the shutting down of electricity supply in the state, last week.

He appealed to stakeholders in the country to prevail on Ajaero, and the NEC of NLC, TUC and their affiliate unions to reconsider industrial action.

Meanwhile, in a statement tagged, ‘Vote your Conscience, Vote for Integrity and Life’ issued to newsmen in Enugu, yesterday, by Chief Michael Okoroeze, the group hoped that the people would use their votes to end arrests of innocent citizens, car thefts and car snatching in the state.

“Imolites, please vote for rapes to stop in Igbo land because this is an atrocity. Vote for harassment at illegal checkpoints and roadblocks to stop! Imolites, please vote for bribery and corruption to cease.

“We say no to the ambition of those who oppress our people to continue in our state,” the statement read.