September 10, (THEWILL) – Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s assault on organised labour, media and civil society groups.
He warned that “the level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship”.
The remarks follow Monday’s arrest of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
While the DSS released Ajaero on Monday night, the Service said on Tuesday that it had sent two operatives to the Abuja office of SERAP for routine investigation.
Reacting to the developments on Tuesday, Atiku, who urged security agencies to redirect their intimidation towards the perpetrators of violence, said Ajaero’s arrest exemplifies the current administration’s persistent efforts to intimidate and suppress organised labour.
He also alleged that the level of oppressive control imposed by Tinubu’s administration now surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
A statement posted on his verified X account reads: “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration are profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomises this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organised labour.
“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. -AA”
