NLC confirms Ajaero’s arrest on way to UK, may declare strike

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero, who was on his way to the United Kingdom.

Head of Information and Public Affairs of the NLC, Benson Upah, in a statement on Monday, said Ajaero is billed to address workers under auspices of the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK.

He said: “This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.

“Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.”

NLC disclosed that Ajaero is detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument, noting that the NLC president’s detention was “unjustified” and a “brazen act of lawlessness.”

The statement added, ‘Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.”

The Nigerian central labour body observed that the action is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.

As a result of the situation, NLC stated that the labour movement and its allies are on red alert.

The statement, “In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.”

NLC called on the international community, human rights organisations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.

It added: “The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions. We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.”

It also disclosed organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.