The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the unconditional release of its President, Joe Ajaero, before midnight today.
Ajaero was arrested and detained at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to address the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain on workers’ rights and social justice, representing Nigerian workers.
Following Ajaero’s arrest by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives on Monday, the NLC convened an emergency meeting.
In a communique issued after the meeting, the NLC demanded his immediate and unconditional release before midnight today.
The NLC criticised Ajaero’s detention as an unwarranted act of intimidation designed to silence dissent and suppress the labour movement’s voice in Nigeria.
The union also called for an immediate reversal of the recent hike in petrol prices to N617 per litre.
The communique, issued by NLC Deputy President Adeyanju Adewale, condemned Ajaero’s detention as illegal and without justification.
It noted that Ajaero was performing his duties in representing Nigerian workers and had committed no offence deserving of such action.
The NLC described his detention as a violation of workers’ rights and democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
The NLC has placed all affiliates, State Councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on high alert.
They assert that the detention is an attack on not only the NLC leadership but also on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.
“The NLC will not stand idly by while these rights are violated. This provocation appears to be an attempt by the State to undermine the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage,” the communique stated.
The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and vowed to oppose all forms of oppression, saying an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow, September 10, 2024, to address the situation.
The NLC also urged the Nigerian Government to reverse the trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness and demanded the immediate implementation of the New National Minimum Wage, which has been signed into law.
The NLC declared that it would continue to uphold its duty to protect workers’ rights and the freedoms of all Nigerians.
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