The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a firm ultimatum to the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding the immediate release of its president, Joe Ajaero. The DSS is given a deadline of midnight on Tuesday to comply. Ajaero, the NLC leader, was detained at the airport on Monday morning while en route to London for a global trade summit, where he was scheduled to represent Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Arrest of Joe Ajaero and Allegations of Terrorism Financing
Ajaero’s detention follows a series of legal encounters, including his recent attendance at a police investigation in late August concerning allegations of terrorism financing. The NLC president has strongly denied any involvement in such activities, insisting on his innocence throughout the process.
NLC’s Response and National Administrative Council (NAC) Meeting
In reaction to the detention, the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) convened an emergency meeting on Monday. Following the meeting, the union issued a statement condemning Ajaero’s detention as illegal and without any legal warrant. The NLC leadership also declared that the DSS had until midnight on Tuesday to release Ajaero unconditionally.
Condemnation of the Detention and Call for Action
The NLC expressed grave concern over the arrest, describing it as “an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.” The union viewed the detention as an attempt by the government to intimidate and suppress dissent within the labour movement.
In the communique issued after its emergency meeting, the NLC emphasized that Ajaero is neither a fugitive nor a criminal, calling his detention an act of state intimidation. The union also criticized the recent hike in fuel prices, demanding the reversal of the petrol price increase to ₦617 per litre.
Nationwide Alert and Mobilization
The NLC has placed all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on high alert. The union warned that Ajaero’s detention poses a broader threat, not only to its leadership but also to the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and freely express themselves.
The union stated, “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.”
Upcoming NEC Meeting and Future Actions
In a show of resistance, the NLC has summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The agenda for this meeting includes discussions on potential decisive actions against what the union describes as “forces of retrogression.” The NLC reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and opposing all forms of oppression.
Conclusion
The situation remains tense as the NLC’s deadline approaches, with the union vowing to escalate its actions if Ajaero is not released by the stipulated time. The broader labour movement in Nigeria is now on high alert, with possible nationwide protests and strikes looming should the government fail to meet the union’s demands.
