NLC issues 12 midnight deadline to FG to release Ajaero

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has issued a Monday
midnight to the Federal Government to unconditionally release its President,
Joe Ajaero, or face dire consequences.



 



NLC has therefore fixed a National Executive Council, NEC,
meeting for Tuesday, 9am to take appropriate response if Ajaero was not
released.



 



In a communiqué at the end of its National Administrative
Council, NAC, meeting signed NLC Deputy President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, the
NLC said “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.



 



“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows:
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 offense
warranting such action. His detention is an affront to the rights of workers
and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.





 



“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of
Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 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 labor movement’s voice
in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the
price of petrol to N617/Litre. State of Alert: The Congress places all its
affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on
red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC
leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest,
and express themselves freely.



 



“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.



 



“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 – in – 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.