News/Comments, By Mark Orgu
With the arrest of the Nigeria Labour Congress’s President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, earlier today at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the State Security Service, (SSS) on his way to attend an international labour conference in the United Kingdom, continues to draw public condemnations especially from its affiliations. The NLC who had an emergence meeting earlier today after the news of the arrest broke out, warns that, if the secret police fails to release Mr. Ajaero, the Union will be left with no other option but to shut down the country.
Meanwhile, in statement by its Head Media/Information, Benson Upah, he said that the arrest could be described as “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 continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.”
The press release by the union in its X page , titled “Comrade Joe Ajaero: President Of The Nigeria Labour Congress (Nlc) Has Been Detained By The Nigerian Government” wonder how a citizen who has not been found guilty could be harassed and intimidated like a common criminal, it reads in parts:
“This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
‘His whereas is unknown till now’
“Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed.
“We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
“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.
“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 continues 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.
NLC organs meeting
“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.”
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