The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, signaling its readiness to embark on a nationwide strike if its President, Joe Ajaero, is detained by the police following his recent invitation for questioning.
The NLC’s stance comes in the wake of escalating tensions between the labour movement and security agencies, particularly after the police raided the NLC national secretariat in Abuja last month.
In an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, the NLC resolved to initiate an indefinite strike across the country if Ajaero is detained.
The congress, in a communiqué signed by its Deputy President, Ado Sani Minjibir, condemned Ajaero’s police summons, describing it as a “politically motivated investigation” aimed at intimidating the labour movement.
The NEC instructed all state chapters and affiliates to begin mobilizing workers for a potential strike, set to commence from midnight on Tuesday if Ajaero is detained.
Background to the Crisis
The crisis between the NLC and the police intensified after a night raid on the NLC’s national secretariat in Abuja, which the police justified as a necessary measure in their search for one of the terrorists linked to the Sudan crisis.
The police also claimed the raid was aimed at uncovering seditious materials connected to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, which turned violent in some parts of the country.
These protests, particularly intense in northern Nigeria, saw some demonstrators waving the Russian flag and demanding the resignation of President Bola Tinubu.
The situation escalated further when the police summoned Ajaero for questioning, accusing him of involvement in terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and subversion.
The police letter, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu, directed Ajaero to report to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Complex in Abuja on August 20, with a warning that a warrant for his arrest would be issued if he failed to comply.
NLC’s Response and Preparedness
The NLC, in its emergency NEC meeting, expressed deep concern over what it described as a “travesty of justice” and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people in Nigeria.
The communiqué issued after the meeting condemned the police summons as an attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which the NLC said has always stood as a “bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.”
The NLC emphasized that it would not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
The NEC called on all civil society organizations and the general public to stand in solidarity with the NLC during this critical period.
While the NLC has decided to honor the police invitation as a responsible labour center committed to the rule of law, it made it clear that it would demand an extension of the interview date, citing the short notice provided.
The labour movement, however, reiterated that this compliance should not be seen as an endorsement of the “baseless” allegations against Ajaero.
Legal and Civil Society Support
Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who is representing Ajaero, has requested that the police interview be postponed to August 29, citing a prior engagement scheduled before the receipt of the invitation.
In his letter to the police, Falana also requested detailed information on the charges against Ajaero, as provided under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Additionally, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has voiced its support for the NLC, condemning the police actions as politically motivated and an attempt to silence labour and free speech.
NUEE’s acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, criticized the government for resorting to harassment and intimidation instead of addressing the unlawful raid on the NLC headquarters.
He warned that stifling labour rights would only exacerbate the growing discontent among Nigerians facing hardships due to unfavourable government policies.
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