The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has alerted the nation to an alleged plot by the federal government to target labour leaders in an effort to silence the group and suppress the voice of Nigerian workers.
Following the arrest of NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS), NLC Lagos State Chairman, Funmi Sessi, in a statement issued today (Monday, September 9) expressed outrage at the arrest and detention of the labour leader, describing it as a “witch-hunt” of the labour leadership.
“We are indeed pained and unhappy with this witch-hunting of labour leadership by trying to hang a crime on their neck all in a bid to silence the group,” the statement read.
According to Sessi, the DSS should have acted professionally by inviting Ajaero for questioning, just as the police had done recently, lamenting that the manner in which the situation has unfolded reflects a broader effort to discredit organised labour.
“Ajaero is a soft target by the government since organised labour is the only large group, aside from the youth, that can pressure the government into submission on people-oriented policies,” Sessi argued.
Calling on the government to immediately release Ajaero and cease all forms of harassment against labour leaders, NLC assured that its leadership remains resolute in its mission to protect workers’ welfare and oppose anti-people policies.
“We remain resolute and will continue the struggle for not only the welfare of the workers but also to call out the government and condemn any anti-people policies,” Sessi added.
The union further criticised the government’s priorities, stating that instead of targeting labour leaders, it should focus on rescuing the nation from economic collapse.
The NLC also urged the release of youths arrested during the #EndSARS protests, stressing the need for positive engagement with critical stakeholders.
“What the government should prioritise and focus their energy on is leading rightly and rescuing the nation from imminent economic collapse. Labour should be regarded as a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian project and should be treated as such. We equally urge the Nigerian government to release the youths arrested during the EndSARS protests and engage them positively. We are all interested in the survival of the nation,” Sessi surmised.
