The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force for questioning over serious allegations, including terrorism financing, criminal conspiracy, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
The invitation, issued on August 19, 2024, and signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, instructs Ajaero to appear for an “interview” on August 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Abuja.
The letter warns that failure to comply the police will have “no choice but to issue a warrant for your arrest.”
Labour Condemn Government
The police’s move has sparked tension, as it follows closely after a recent police raid on the NLC headquarters in Abuja, which the Congress claims was part of government attempt to intimidate and undermine the labor organization, which only recently pressured the government into reluctantly raising the worker’s minimum wage by 100%.
In a statement released on Monday, August 19, 2024, by the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, the Congress expressed its dismay over the police’s failure to address Ajaero by his official title in the invitation letter. The NLC also criticized the police’s timing and manner of the invitation and suggested a high conspiracy against the union leadership because of their principled stand during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
Upah said, “We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Prior to the raid, the Congress had advised the government to dialogue with the protest organizers, even as the Congress had clearly stated it was not part of the protest.
“The Congress criticized the police for the high casualty rate during the protest.
“In its NEC communique after the raid, the Congress expressed outrage at the behavior of the police and demanded an apology from both the police and the government.
“At its world press conference last Thursday, the Congress raised an alarm that if anything should happen to the leadership of the Congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable.
“The question on the lips of those in the know is, who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?“, Upah queried.
The NLC has vehemently condemned the ongoing investigation, linking it to the controversial raid on its headquarters. The police justified the raid by claiming they were seeking documents related to an international “subversive” figure. The Congress, however, rejected this explanation, accusing the police of fabricating reasons to cover up a deliberate attack on the NLC’s autonomy.
NEC Emergency Meeting Invoked
In response to these developments, the NLC has called for an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for 8:00 AM on August 20, 2024. The meeting, which will take place at the Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House, Abuja, will bring together affiliate leaders and state chapter representatives to deliberate on the situation and chart a course of action.
Earlier, the NLC leadership had alleged that the government was attempting to intimidate the labor movement and interfere in its internal affairs, such as the proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders. They argued that this went against national labor laws and international conventions.
As the situation unfolds, concerns grow over the potential ramifications for the labour unions and the broader civil democratic space in Nigeria. Many question the motives behind the escalating tensions between Congress and the government and wonder who might be the next to be targeted if the worker’s unions are silenced.
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