The governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma has finally apologised to the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero over attack in Imo last week.

Wakadaily reported how Ajaero was picked up from the Imo council Secretariat of the NLC in the state capital, Owerri by heavily armed police operatives.

Ajaero revealed that he was beaten, blindfolded and threatened by the officials immediately after he was arrested.

However, the Imo police command debunked the claims, saying Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.

The organised labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, on Friday declared a strike in Imo, with all flights to the state suspended amid preparation for the governorship election on Saturday.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Uzodimma, who earlier blamed Ajaero for the attack finally apologised for the maltreatment.

He said, “I was unaware that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President was in my state. What I did was to condemn the action. I have never disagreed with the labour union.

“It has nothing to do with my government. Whether Joe Ajaero is the President of NLC or not, I would not wish this to happen to any human being. Of course, I have to apologize because it happened in my state.

I am a Christian and believe in God. I can’t support violence. I can never advocate violence. Whatever happened to Joe Ajaero in my state, which I am not aware of, that led to him being assaulted must be regretted by both my government and myself.

“In the future, I would also like him to do things more civilized. That was the point I was making. A man from my state to go on the street without clearing me out, without bringing all the allegations before me,” Hope Uzodinma added.