- Accuses FG Of Intimidation, Attempt To Arm-Twist Union
- As Ajaero Fixes Date To Honour Police Invitation
- Amnesty International Warns Against Targeting Labour Leaders
BY CLETUS NGWODO WITH AGENCY REPORTS
Following the invitation of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police over alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal and treasonable felony, the National Executive Committee of the NLC has directed all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation.
Furthermore, NEC called on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the NLC in this critical moment, saying the fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one and urged all Nigerians to rise in defence of “our shared democratic values”.
In a communique issued at the end of an emergency National Executive Council meeting of NLC held yesterday, the union said 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.
According to the statement, “If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State, NEC has put all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by midnight today.”
The labour leaders, who noted with grave concern, said rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on a spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment and witch-hunting
While condemning the State’s action, NLC noted that “this invitation is premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.”
“The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labour leaders. We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses”, the communique stated.
The statement added that as a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but would demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation, noting however, that this does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations levelled against him.
Assuring Nigerian workers across the country of its steadfastness, the NLC said it remained resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. “We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law in our beloved country.
… As Ajaero Fixes Date To Honour Police Invitation
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has fixed a date to honour the invitation from the Nigeria Police Force.
Ajaero fixed today, August 29 to honour the invitation.
He communicated the date to the Inspector-General of Police via a letter from his lawyers, Falana and Falana Chambers. The NLC President was summoned by the Police over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.
Ajaero, in the letter by his lawyers, also demanded details of the allegations levelled against him by the Police.
Parts of the letter signed by Samuel Ogala, read: “Therefore, Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.
“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Ajaero requests for the details and nature of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime levelled against him.
“While awaiting your response to this letter, please accept the assurance of our highest esteem.”
… Amnesty International Warns Against Targeting Labour Leaders
In a related development, Global humanitarian organisation Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned and warned against the current onslaught against the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
A statement signed by the organisation’s Director, Isa Sanusi, yesterday, described fresh allegations of terrorism financing by the Nigerian authorities against Ajaero and its leaders as an attempt to intimidate the unionists.
Sanusi said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour unions to agree or disagree with the government and its policies.
“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“In the last one year, Amnesty International had observed increasing attempts by the Nigerian government to silence the umbrella labour union, through trying by hook and crook to use state institutions to discredit them. This is a new low in this government’s human rights records.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers’ union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union. The organization urges the Nigerian authorities to immediately end this bizarre crackdown on leaders of the nation’s labour union. The allegations against NLC and its leadership are just punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for standing up for workers’ rights.”
