September 09, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on or before midnight.
THEWILL had earlier reported that Comrade Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a Trade Union Congress meeting.
Condemning the arrest and detention of Ajaero by the DSS in a communique issued by its Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale, the NLC Administrative Council described the detention as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles”.
While placing all affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on red alert, the council also summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) to take further action against the government’s “authoritarianism and lawlessness”.
The communique reads: “The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government.
“Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while 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.
“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows:
“Condemnation of the Detention: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.
“The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offence warranting such action. His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
“Demand for Immediate and Unconditional Release: The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 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.
“State of Alert: 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 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.
“Mobilisation for Further Action: 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 – 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.”
