Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri
The Peoples Democratic Party in Imo state has advised the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, to stop abusing the sensibilities of the workers of the State.
A statement issued by the PDP spokesperson in the state, Ogubundu Nwadike, alleged that the governor abused the workers of the State in his recent state wide broadcast.
The opposition party said that instead of abusing the civil servants of the State, the governor should attend to their welfare.
The statement read “Consequent upon the very harsh verbal descent by Governor Hope Uzodimma on the Organized Labour in Imo State in his most recent broadcast, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State has found cause to charge the governor to be less abusive and insulting on the Imo workforce. They too are major stakeholders in the State.
“Our great Party finds it extremely unacceptable for the governor to describe the workers in very uncouth diction. We recognize that among the workers are high profile intellectuals, technocrats and professionals, whose efforts have continually kept this State standing among comity of States in the federation.
” Addressing them like common dimwits is least expected from Governor Uzodimma. A public apology from the governor to the workers will not be too much.
“This Party will never agree with the governor that the problem of Imo State has to do with the labour force of the State Civil Service. We would rather make bold to state that the problem of the State is the inability of the governor to render a good account of himself, and deliver good governance to Imo people.
“This Party notes with consternation that all the Organized Labour in Imo State has done is to tender the normal demands associated with labour unions. They have, inter alia, asked Governor Uzodimma to stop all forms of non-payment of salaries, all forms of under-payment of salaries, all forms of staggered payments, and the commencement of the payment of the new minimum wage of N30,000, among other lawful demands. That they now wish to embark on a strike is not unlawful or illegal. It is allowed.
“Imo PDP deems it an abuse of core aspects of the fundamental human rights of the workers in the State for Governor Uzodimma to be demeaning and debasing them with bad words and utterances.
“We, therefore, task the governor to as a matter of urgency go to the round table with the workers and iron things out with them amicably, and seriously look into their demands.
” As has been proved by the PDP RebuildImo administration led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON relating well with Imo workers is not rocket science, but a possibility.
