Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is scheduled to appear at the Force Headquarters in Abuja today in response to a police invitation.
The invitation, issued 11 days ago, accuses Ajaero of involvement in serious crimes, including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
Ajaero will visit the police alongside other labour union leaders. Leaders from various industrial unions affiliated with the NLC, workers, civil society allies, and some lawyers plan to accompany him to the headquarters.
The NLC has also called on its state council leaders across the country to mobilize members for a peaceful procession to their respective state police commands. These processions will include prayer sessions in solidarity with Ajaero and the broader labor movement. The labour is currently facing significant challenges in Nigeria.
In addition, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has shown its support for the NLC President. The NUJ has instructed its Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter to gather journalists based in Abuja to join the procession to the Force Headquarters. This is meant to demonstrate solidarity with Ajaero and the NLC.
The allegations against Ajaero first surfaced on August 19 when the police invited him to appear for questioning. The invitation cited charges of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. The police also warned that they would arrest Ajaero if he failed to respond to the summons.
However, on the scheduled date of August 20, human rights activist and Ajaero’s lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, explained why his client could not honor the police invitation. Despite this, Ajaero will now meet with the police today, following extensive preparations by the NLC and its allies.
In a circular issued by the NLC’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union emphasized the importance of showing solidarity with Ajaero during this critical time.
The circular stated, “All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the NLC by 8:00 AM on Thursday (today) to accompany the President to the Police for the scheduled interaction.”
The circular further encouraged members across the country to gather at their respective state secretariats and proceed peacefully to their state police headquarters. There, they will hold prayer sessions until Ajaero’s interaction with the police concludes.
The NLC warned that if Ajaero is detained, “all workers nationwide shall proceed on an indefinite strike.”
The NUJ echoed this sentiment of solidarity in a statement by its National Secretary, Achike Chude.
The statement criticized the actions of the police against Ajaero, describing them as a “macabre dance.”
The statement expresses concern over the potential implications for the union and the country. It emphasized that while the union is willing to cooperate with the authorities, it will not do so at the expense of the NLC or its members.
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom has expressed its concern over the ongoing situation.
The TUC (UK) has urged the British government to intervene and pressure the Nigerian government to cease what it calls “violent repression and intimidation of trade unions.”
In a message of solidarity to the NLC and Ajaero, TUC (UK) General Secretary Paul Nowak condemned the actions of the Nigerian government and called for an end to the harassment of union leaders.
Nowak stated, “The TUC notes with deep concern the ongoing persecution of President of NLC, Joe Ajaero. The President was summoned by the police on trumped-up charges of ‘criminal conspiracy’ and ‘terrorism financing.’”
Nowak also highlighted previous incidents, including the assault of the police on Ajaero last November and a recent raid on the NLC headquarters by heavily armed security forces. The TUC (UK) urged the Nigerian government to engage in dialogue with trade unions to address the underlying issues, including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the country.