There are signs that the dispute between the Imo State government and the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, which led to the suspension of some aviation operations, has taken on a worrying dimension.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called relevant parties to summon Allen Onyeama, the proprietor of Air Peace, to order in the newly growing controversy.

In a joint statement released on Friday, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress expressed dissatisfaction with Mr Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, accusing him of prioritizing his business interests above the lives, welfare, safety, freedom, and businesses of Imo State residents.

The state governor, Hope Uzodinma, has been threatened by both unions with a petition to the federal government and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

“We had thought Mr Onyema was a reasonable citizen but like the rest of them, he has shown his hand rather too early.

“His desperate attempt to personalise the strike action (by over 70 unions) and present Comrade Joe Ajaero as scuttling the business interest of a fellow Igbo is a familiar refrain of scoundrels who take refuge in primordial sentiments.

“We find it disgusting that rather than address the fundamental issues that led to this avoidable strike action, Mr Onyema has called for sanctioning of Comrade Ajaero and manacling of the Labour Unions but such is the psyche of those who come upon wealth suddenly or have wealth thrust upon them,” Upah noted in the statement.

Additionally, it stated that a comparable statute permits the unionization of the Air Peace Airline personnel, who had been denied this fundamental right since 2016 by Onyema.

”In light of this, Mr Onyema is given two weeks to allow the staff of Air Peace to unionise. He should equally calculate and remit check-off dues from 2016 to date. If he fails to do this, he should be prepared to keep a date with the entire labour movement soon”.