Condemnations have trailed the arrest of President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At the end of a meeting of NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) on Monday, the union gave the secret police midnight on Tuesday to release Ajaero.
It was gathered that Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport in Abuja on Monday on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment, the NLC said.
The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today (Monday).
Related news
- NLC demands immediate reversal of Hiked petrol pump price
- Nigeria Faces Shutdown In case of Ajaero’s Arrest- NLC
- NLC President Alerts Plan to Remove Minimum Wage from Exclusive List
The NLC scribe said the union has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert in the light of “this troubling development.”
Read full communique:
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE EMERGENCY NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL (NAC) OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) HELD ON THE 9TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024.
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.
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.
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.
Mobilization 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.
Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale Deputy President
Meanwhile, Inibehe Effiong said the arrest of Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on his way to London, where he’s billed to attend a trade union meeting by the State Security Service (SSS) is a continuation of the sinister efforts aimed at enthroning a climate of fear in the country.
Amnesty International condemns the arrest
Global rights group Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and detention of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement on Monday, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said with the attack on Ajaero, President Bola Tinubu is setting a new record of impunity.
Sanusi said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) today. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released.
“The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu.
“President Bola Tinubu’s government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC, through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers’ rights to organize and seek better welfare must stop.
“President Tinubu is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law.
“Amnesty International has observed, in the last one year, the increasing crackdown by the Nigerian authorities on the labour union and civic space. The authorities continue to weaponize the police and SSS to repress the human rights of Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, including trade union membership and activities. The country is also a member of the International Labour Organization, whose fundamental principles include the right to organize, are binding on all members.”
“Under international human rights law workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“Joe Ajaero is arrested solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights and must be immediately and unconditionally released,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Inibehe Effiong, the human rights lawyer, in his X handle Monday wrote ”The arrest of Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on his way to London, where he’s billed to attend a trade union meeting by the State Security Service (SSS) is a continuation of the sinister efforts aimed at enthroning a climate of fear in the country.
”It is obvious that this regime is paranoid and is resorting to tyranny to cover its palpable and monumental failures. The arrest of Ajaero is condemnable and he should be released forthwith.
