…Demands his unconditional release before midnight
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has placed all its affiliate unions on red alert over a possible shutdown of the entire country following the arrest of its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero was arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday while on his way to London for a Trade Union Congress, TUC, conference.
The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC, in an emergency meeting today (Monday), strongly condemned the “alarming and unlawful arrest and detention” of the Labour boss.
NLC in a statement issued at the end of its NAC meeting, gave the Federal Government up till midnight of Monday, September 9, 2024, to unconditionally release Ajaero, or brace up for the wrath of Nigerian workers.
NLC in the statement signed by its National Deputy President, Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale, scheduled a meeting of its National Executive Council, NEC, by 9:am Tuesday (September 10), to take a decision on the sad development.
Recall that NLC, had penultimate week warned that it would, without further notice, embark on indefinite strike by the midnight of any day Ajaero was arrested by security operatives.
NLC spoke on the heels of earlier invitation by the Inspector General of Police to Ajaero for interrogation over alleged involvement in terrorism.
Besides unconditional release of its National President, NLC also demanded immediate reversal of the petrol pump price to N617 per litre.
The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification. The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense warranting such action. His detention according to the organisation is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
Demands his immediate and unconditional release
“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labor movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/Litre.
State of Alert:
“The Congress places all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely. The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.”
Mobilization for Further Action:
“The NLC reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens. The Congress will not relent in its efforts to oppose all forms of oppression. NAC – in – session therefore summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, the 10’th day of September, 2024 to take compelling action to engage the current forces of retrogression.
“The NAC urges the Nigerian Government to reverse this dangerous trend of autlhoritarianison and lawlessness, which threatens the country’s democratic fabric. NAC in session demands the immediate implementation of the New National Minimum Wage which has been signed into Law. The Nigeria Labour Congress will not waver in its duty to protect the rights of workers and the freedom of all Nigerians.”
