Developing Story: Release Comrade Joe Ajaero now, NLC demands
Ajaero had been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on his way out of the country to attend an international labour conference in the UK by operatives of the Department of State Services.
Ajaero who has led workers on countless national strikes, negotiated a new minimum wage on behalf of labour with the Tinubu administration and called for the reversal of the latest fuel hike has been under the gaze of Nigeria’s security operatives who suspect he is engaging in subversive activities .
The Union in a statement published on its official handle on X explained, “This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State.”
it said the abduction of the labour leader occurred “while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.”
The NLC disclosed that it is yet to know where its President is being held by agents of the Department of State Services that are presently tracking a number of suspects reportedly plotting to throw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu out of office.
According to the NLC statement issued by Benson Upah who is responsible for the dissemination of information, “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.”
Accusing the Federal Government of engaging in acts “of intimidation” which are “completely unjustified under the laws of our nation” the NLC emphasised, “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… 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”,the statement observed.
It added, “In the 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. 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.”