Labour sets for mother of all protest over arrest of Comrade Ajaero

By allcitynews.ng

Following the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero today, all affiliates of NLC with civil society allies have started mobilisation for an impromptu nationwide protest.

It may no longer be breaking news that Comrade Joe Ajaero was arrested by the law enforcement officers. But the fresh news is that his whereabouts is yet to be known hours after his arrest.

As such, officials and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who are currently apprehensive over the whereabouts of their President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, after his arrest by the DSS earlier today, 9 September 2024, are holding meeting over next line of action.

According to the Head of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Benson Upah, Ajaero was apprehended earlier on Monday. He described the arrest 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.

Upah noted that such actions were 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 is putting all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert.

The statement by the Head of Information and Public Affairs, NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, said the Congress was yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.

According to him, “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.

“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 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.”

“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.

“Finally, the organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public,” the statement added.