As the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, set to honour a fresh invitation by the Nigeria Police Force for interrogation tomorrow, the Congress has urged members to mobilise for a one-day prayer session and rally at the headquarters of the Police in their respective states.

The directive was given at an emergency meeting convened by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC to deliberate on the recent developments concerning the latest invitation of Ajaero and Ugboaja by the police in furtherance of an investigation into an alleged case of criminal intimidation.

The interrogation is scheduled to hold with the Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), Rufus Alajide, on September 5, 2024. To demonstrate solidarity and commitment to the protection of its leaders and the movement, the NEC said during the period, workers would not engage in any work activities until the “unfortunate” interrogation by the police was concluded.

It said members in Abuja would assemble at the National Headquarters by 8:00 a.m. to accompany the leadership in a peaceful procession to the Police Headquarters.

It said all affiliates and state councils of NLC would address press conferences to inform the world of the ongoing, shameful, and illegal acts of harassment by the Nigerian state.

“We will not be silenced, and we will ensure that the truth is made known to the public, both locally and internationally,” it said. The communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero said the NEC viewed the invitation as provocative and yet another round of continuing intimidation and harassment by the Nigerian State, using the Police to target the leadership of the Labour movement.

He said it was clear that the action was part of a sustained campaign to undermine the NLC and its leaders, a campaign which began with the earlier invasion of its National Headquarters by security agencies.

The Labour leaders said it strongly condemned the continued acts of intimidation and harassment by the Nigerian state through its Police force. They stated that such actions were reckless and unacceptable and constitute a direct attack on the Labour movement, its leadership, and the rights of workers.

According to them, the actions are an affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and violate International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which guarantee freedom of association and the right to organise.

The NEC demanded that government should stop the alleged shameful and illegal acts of harassment and intimidation against the Labour movement and its leaders.