Direct ‘intimidation’ to terrorists, not Ajaero, Atiku tells Tinubu

Former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has told President Bola Tinubu that his government should stop ‘intimidating’ National Labour Congress (NLC) president Joe Ajaero and other critics.

Atiku on Tuesday said the government should redirect the ‘intimidation’ towards bandits and terrorists, citing Monday’s arrest of National Labour Congress (NLC) president Joe Ajaero.

In a post on his X handle, Atiku said the alleged assault on civil society and the media by the Tinubu administration was disturbing.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections accused the government of demonstrating a the level of oppressive control that surpasses the harshest days of military dictatorship.

“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour,” Atiku wrote.

“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?

“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon @SERAPNigeria, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.

“It is imperative that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people.”

On Monday, September 9, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Ajaero and released him around midnight.

Ajaero was on his way to the United Kingdom on Monday for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) event when he was arrested at Abuja airport.

After his release, the NLC boss revealed that he was questioned for about 15 hours.

He said though he was detained by the DSS, some police officers also came around to grill him at the DSS office in Abuja over the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests that took place in August.

He added that he was questioned over alleged terrorism financing involving a British national, Andrew Wynne.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the DSS released the international passport of Ajaero.