From Abdullahi Adamu Gusau
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade
Joe Ajaero, was 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.
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.
A press statement issued by Head of Information and Public Affairs of NLC, Benson Upah indicated that
Comrade Ajaero was detained without
any legal warrant or formal instrument. It added that his
detention was 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.
The statement described the action as 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. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and
unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
The NLC called 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 statement asserted that 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.
The Organs of the Congress were in a closed door meeting whose
outcome will be made available to the public, the statement concluded.
