From NDUJIHE UGWU, Abuja
In what may spell another round of muscle-flexing between organised labour and the government, with its consequent disruption of citizens’ socio-economic life, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has put all its affiliate organs on alert for its directives as it holds emergency meeting over the arrest and detention of its President, Joe Ajaero earlier Monday (today, September 9).
Spokesperson of the NLC, Benson Upah, who disclosed this in a statement, said the outcome of the meeting will be made available to the public.
Ajaero was apprehended this morning by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on his way to London, the United Kingdom, on an official assignment.
In the statement, NLC condemned Ajaero’s detention, describing it as unlawful and an act of intimidation since the NLC president is not subject to any legal warrant or was at any time declared a fugitive.
Labour also described Ajaero’s detention as a violation of democratic principles and an affront to citizens’ rights.
Calling for its president’s immediate and unconditional release, the NLC urged all international human rights organisations to take note of the situation, further putting its affiliates, civil society organisations and Nigerians on the alert for further developments.
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.
His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers,” the NLC said in the release by Upah.
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continue to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship. Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
“The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions. We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.
“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”
