Conventional wisdom demands that one chases away the fox before blaming the chicken for wondering too close to the perimeter of the poultry.
Against this backdrop, I unequivocally condemn the assault and black eye given to the NLC President, by members of the Nigeria Police in a bid to get him into protective custody (sic) That statement by the Police, is hogwash.
But why did NLC expose the number one comrade to such danger? Did they not read and understand the physic of the elements in government in Imo State?
While I am not advocating that one should shy away from confrontation with the State when need arises, I think NLC got it wrong by making Comrade Joe, to be in the vanguard of the execution of the planned strike; particularly, when there is a Court Order-Injunction restraining NLC from embarking on any strike in Imo State. No matter how kangaroo or defective you think an Order of Court, you must obey until it is vacated but if you choose to disobey, you had better consider the size of your anus before sealing an udala seed.
Comrade Joe, is akin a 5 Star General, a Field Marshal of the Labour Movement and for him to have been picked up like a rookie, a kindergarten activist, speaks volumes about the organization of NLC in times of war than the brutality of the State.
What measures were put in place to protect Comrade Joe by NLC workers in Imo State? Is his having a MOPOL officer provided by the State enough?
Doesn’t NLC have intelligence department that would have done risk analysis of the situation and if they must proceed, provide shield around Comrade Joe? NLC ought to have at least two layers of shield around Comrade Joe at any given time during the waging of any struggle.
Or has NLC grown soft since the arrival of Democracy and their “friends” are now in democratic dictatorship, in various Government Houses and they think it is tea party and they would be treated with velvet gloves each time they threaten strike and shutting down of the State?
In the days of agitation for the restoration of democracy, using June 12 Struggle as launchpad, no organization suffered such humiliation as what just happened to NLC yesterday.
Once action was pronounced, leadership of the organizations, took to guerrilla tactics, moving and organizing effectively without Sergeant Rogers’ Strike Force and DSS picking them up before during or after the action. I know because I was involved (A prologues to Ojukwu)
I think NLC need to go back to the last days of Abacha and study how the leadership of the movements survived.
That Comrade Joe Ajaero is from Imo State, makes it more paramount that he is properly insulated or he would be accused of playing local politics and eying the Governor’s seat come 2027 as he is from Owerri Zone, while the incumbent Governor, is from Orlu.
More also this strike/rally or protest, is coming barely a week to Imo State Guber Election, it would be difficult to deny the hand of Easu and voice of Jacob confusion in this situation. I repeat, the assault and blue eye, though baptism of some sort, is highly condemnable.
There are better ways of shepherding a suspect who is resisting being escorted by the police for his or her own safety.
