The Presidency has described the decision by the NLC and TUC as an ego tripping move and clearly unwarranted, saying it is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the Organized Labour.

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said it is an attempt to punish a whole country over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.

It added that while the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen regardless of his or her social and economic status.

The statement noted that the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.

In a separate statement, the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, warned the Unions that any action taken in violation of the court would amount to contempt.

To this end, it asked the Organized Labour to shelve its nationwide strike which commenced midnight.

The government reminded the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court (NIC), in Abuja, on Friday.

President of the NIC, Justice Benedict Kanyip, had restrained the labour centres and their affiliates from embarking on any form of strike.

The judge issued the order following an ex-parte application brought before the court by the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).