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| nlc president joe ajaero |
In response to the ongoing conflict with the Nigeria Police, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed its members to be prepared for a potential nationwide strike starting at midnight on Tuesday.
Following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the NLC issued a communique directing all state chapters and affiliates to mobilize workers for an indefinite strike if anything happens to NLC President Joe Ajaero, who has been summoned by the police for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing.
The police invitation to Ajaero comes weeks after a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja by the police.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, justified the raid by stating that the police were pursuing one of the terrorists involved in the Sudan crisis. The raid was also aimed at searching for seditious materials related to the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance or hunger protest, which turned violent in parts of the country, particularly in the North, where some protesters were seen waving the Russian flag and demanding President Bola Tinubu’s resignation.
On Monday, the police requested Ajaero to appear for questioning at 10 am over allegations of terrorism financing and treasonable felony.
The NLC NEC convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning to assess the situation.
Following the meeting, the NLC leadership issued a communique stating that they viewed Ajaero’s summons as “a clearly unfounded and politically-motivated investigation.”
In the communique signed by NLC Deputy President, Ado Sani Minjibir, the congress warned that it would not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation.
“The congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the state;
“NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils on alert to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 midnight today.”
The NLC also called on all civil society allies and the general public to stand in solidarity with the union during this critical moment.
The meeting expressed grave concern that instead of addressing the congress’s demand for an explanation regarding the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police had chosen to embark on this spurious journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunt.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization Conventions 87 and 98. In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves as follows,” it said.
The NLC stated that it had decided to honor the police invitation as a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process.
However, it added that it would not sit idly while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders were trampled upon with impunity by the state.
“The NLC shall honor the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation.
“However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations leveled against him.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us.
“The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other Labour leaders. We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.
“The NEC warns the state to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith,” NLC said in the communique.
Earlier on Monday, The PUNCH reported that Ajaero was invited by the police for an “interview” on charges related to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
The letter of invitation, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, stated that Ajaero’s name was mentioned in ongoing investigations related to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
The letter directed Ajaero to report to the IRT Complex, Abattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20 at 10 am, threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
The PUNCH reported that security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja on July 7.
According to the NLC spokesperson, Upah, the operatives entered the building at about 8.30 pm and arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
Upah said, “The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black tee-shirts, presumably from the Department of State Services, and others in plain clothes, swooped on the 10th Floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty and then commandeered him to the second floor where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices.”
The police took responsibility for the operation, stating that it was aimed at uncovering incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Last week, the NLC rejected the explanation offered by the police on the raid and demanded the release of its arrested members and seized documents.
The NLC also criticized government attempts to interfere with the organization’s internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
Falana Writes Police
Meanwhile, NLC lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), wrote to the police on Tuesday, requesting that Ajaero’s interview be rescheduled to August 29.
Falana stated that Ajaero would be unable to honor the police invitation on Tuesday due to a prior engagement scheduled before the invitation was received.
The letter, dated August 20 and signed by Samuel Ogala on behalf of Falana, read, “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on whose behalf we write this letter in respect of the above subject matter.
“We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honor your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, due to the short notice. He had a prior engagement scheduled before receiving your invitation.
“Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.”
Citing section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, Falana requested the details of the allegations leveled against Ajaero.
“Furthermore, in line with the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Comrade Ajaero requests detailed information on the allegations of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime made against him.
“While awaiting your positive response to this letter, please accept our highest regards,” the letter concluded.
Additionally, on Tuesday, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) emphasized that the Federal Government must uphold and protect labour rights and free speech to ensure a just and equitable society for all citizens.
In a statement signed by NUEE’s acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, the union expressed deep concern over the political maneuvering involved in the police summons of NLC President, Ajaero.
“The Federal Government’s resort to witch-hunt, harassment, and name-calling, instead of apologizing to the congress and its leadership for the unlawful invasion of the NLC Headquarters a few days ago, is both embarrassing and misguided.
“The Government’s choice to stifle labour and free speech in the country as a means to compel Nigerians to suffer in silence in the face of unfavorable government policies is deeply troubling,” NUEE stated.
