Nigeria Labour Congress Issues Ultimatum for President’s Release Amidst Growing Tensions

Abuja, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of its President, Joe Ajaero, by Monday midnight. Failure to comply, the NLC warns, will result in severe repercussions.

The demand was made in a communiqué following an emergency National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on Monday. The NLC condemned Ajaero’s arrest and detention as “brazen and illegal,” describing the action as a blatant violation of workers’ rights and democratic freedoms.

Ajaero was detained earlier in the day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while traveling to the United Kingdom. He was en route to address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in discussions on labor rights and social justice.

The communiqué, issued by the NAC, criticized the detention as an affront to the principles of freedom of movement and expression, asserting that Ajaero had been carrying out his duties lawfully. The NLC characterized the detention as an attempt to intimidate and silence dissenting voices within the labor movement.

In addition to demanding Ajaero’s release, the NLC is calling for a reversal of the recent petrol price increase to N617 per litre and the implementation of the newly signed National Minimum Wage. The NLC’s NAC has declared a state of alert, urging affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies to prepare for potential actions in response to the government’s perceived attacks on labor rights.

An emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:00 AM to decide on further actions against what the NLC calls “forces of retrogression.” The NLC has condemned what it sees as a dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness, urging the Nigerian Government to reverse these actions and uphold democratic principles.

The situation has escalated tensions between the labor movement and the government, with the NLC vowing to vigorously defend workers’ rights and democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

The communique 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 labour 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.

It can be recalled that Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom to attend a conference on workers’ rights and social justice.