The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, saying the Congress cannot find any justification for his arrest.
TUC President, Festus Osifo who said he received the news on Ajaero’s arrest with grave concern insisted that the arrest “represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society.”
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“Congress firmly condemns the arrest and calls for his immediate and unconditional release,” he stated.
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According to Osifo, the arrest sets a dangerous precedent that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests.
Osifo expressed the imperative of the government respecting the rule of law, democratic norms and the legitimate rights of workers and their representatives, noting that the labour movement has always stood for peaceful negotiations.
Urging the government to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over harassment, Osifo said: “We stand in solidarity with the NLC and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers.”
