The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma has been declared a persona non-grata across airports in Nigeria by Nigerian aviation workers. It was also revealed that all flights from Owerri International Airport have been blacklisted due to the incident that led to assaulting the NLC President, Joe Ajaero. The directive was disclosed in a joint statement by the aviation union. These included the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP). The General-Secretaries of the union signed the statement on Wednesday, November 8. They are Umoh Ofonime, NAAPE; Frances Akinjole, ATSSSAN; Comrades Ocheme Aba, NUATE; and Abdul Rasaq Saidu, ANAP.
The unions alleged that the attack on the NLC president Ajaero was solely sponsored by the Imo State government led by Hope Uzodinma and condemned the continuous silence of the federal government on the development.
The statement read: “Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and the continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter; and in compliance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (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 08/11/2023 (today).
“In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State 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 Hope Uzodimma worldwide.
“Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC. “Based on the above, the State Councils and all Branches of the unions will meet today at 5 pm in Lagos and Abuja to agree on modalities for carrying out the above directive. The meeting in Lagos will be held at NUATE Secretariat, while that of Abuja will be at GAT (pilgrims’ terminal).
“By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”
The strike action is of an indefinite nature until otherwise directed by NLC and TUC.