…says action brazen act of lawlessness, intimidation
…may embark on indefinite nationwide strike
NOSA EGHAGHA
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, following his arrest and detention by state authorities.
Ajaero was reportedly detained earlier on Monday while on his way to attend an international gathering of workers in the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to represent Nigerian workers.
The detention of Ajaero has already sparked fears of widespread unrest within Nigeria’s labour movement, even as NLC had fews weeks ago warned that the arrest and detention of its leadership may help to set the stage for one of the largest industrial actions in recent Nigerian history with millions of workers prepared to down thier tools to drive home their grievances.
In a communique issued at the end of the Emergency National Administrative Council (NAC), of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and signed by the Deputy President, Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale, after extensive deliberation unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.
The NLC has called on all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and patriotic Nigerians to be on red alert.
Furthermore, the congress hinted at the possibility of escalating actions, including a nationwide strike, should Ajaero’s release not be promptly secured.
“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 is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
“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 labour movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/Litre.
“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.
“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.”
Furthermore, the NAC – in – session therefore summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, September 10, to take compelling action to engage the current forces of retrogression.
Earlier, in a strongly worded statement, the Head of Information and Public Affairs for the NLC, Benson Upah, condemned the arrest, calling it a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation.
According to Upah, Ajaero’s detention is illegal, as no warrant or formal instrument of arrest has been presented.
“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.
“Comrade 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 the efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. 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.
“This 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.
“Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.”
The NLC emphasized that the incident is a direct assault on democratic rights and warned that the congress would not sit idly by while its leaders and members are unlawfully targeted.
Meanwhile, the NLC has called on the international community and human rights organizations to take note of what it described as the rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.
“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 the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
“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.”
As at press time, the Congress had announced that its organs were in a closed-door meeting to deliberate on the next steps, adding that the outcome of the meeting will determine the NLC’s future course of action.
In a related statement, TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, expressed deep concern over Ajaero’s arrest, describing it as a grave violation of fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression.
Osifo condemned the arrest, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of Nigeria’s labour movement.
“This unjust action represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Ajaero,” Osifo said.
The TUC, in its statement, urged the Nigerian government to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over harassment, emphasizing that the labour movement has always stood for peaceful negotiations. “We stand in solidarity with the NLC and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers,” Osifo said.
Osifo further warned that the government’s actions could provoke nationwide disruptions if not addressed immediately.
“This arrest threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests,” he noted.
