The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a deadline of 12 midnight today for the release of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the labour union, who was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.
Ajaero was arrested en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
Following the arrest, the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC quickly convened an emergency meeting. In a communique issued shortly after the meeting, the NAC vehemently condemned the arrest of the NLC President.
The NLC noted in the communique that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offence warranting his arrest and that 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 labor movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/litre,” the communique reads.
Meanwhile, the NLC has placed all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert while stressing that the detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organise, 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. NAC – in – session therefore summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, the 10th day of September, 2024 to take compelling action to engage the current forces of retrogression.
“The NAC urges the Nigerian Government to reverse this dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness, which threatens the country’s democratic fabric.
“NAC-in-session demands the immediate implementation of the New National Minimum Wage which has been signed into Law.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress will not waver in its duty to protect the rights of workers and the freedom of all Nigerians,” the communique added.
