Ajaero’s arrest, a bid to silence our voice—NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress has denounced the move by officers from the Department of State Services to sweep its president, Joe Ajaero, away on his trip to the United Kingdom on Monday.
The union characterised Ajaero’s imprisonment without a formal instrument or legal warrant as a flagrant act of lawlessness and intimidation.
Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, stated this on Monday.
Upah claimed Ajaero’s location were unclear because all attempts to contact him had failed.
He decried the detention, claiming it was an attempt to muzzle all voices of criticism and opposition in the country.
“This morning, agents of the Nigerian State seized and whisked away Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), while he was on his way to the United Kingdom at the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain,” according to the statement. Comrade Ajaero was scheduled to attend and address a global meeting of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom, a platform for vital discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness. We still don’t know where he is or how he is doing, as all attempts to contact him have failed.
We categorically state that we apprehended Comrade Ajaero without a proper instrument or legal warrant. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. Because no law enforcement agency has proclaimed him wanted, his arrest is an outright act of illegality and intimidation. His incarceration is a flagrant act of intimidation that is entirely unjustified by our country’s laws. The mere thought of not only prohibiting a legitimate citizen from going but also seizing his freedom is an assault to our democratic and natural rights as a nation and workers.
The Nigerian government and its agencies are obviously exhibiting the height of lawlessness in their efforts to stifle all voices of dissent and opposition in the country, while their economic policies continue to cause enormous misery and hardship for the people. Such measures are not only undemocratic, but also unethical, because they are a clear violation of citizens’ and organisations’ fundamental rights to freely express themselves and conduct their activities.”
The union demanded the president’s immediate release, stating, “In light of this troubling development, the Congress places all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and all patriotic Nigerians on high alert.” The Congress will not allow any violations of its leaders’ and members’ rights. As a result, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we urge the international community, human rights organisations, and all proponents of democracy to take heed of Nigeria’s emerging wave of authoritarianism. The world must witness these attacks on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
The state’s coercive measures will not intimidate the NLC, which is unwavering in its commitment to preserving workers’ rights. We once again demand Comrade Joe Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release, as well as the stop of all types of harassment directed at labour leaders and the Nigerian working class, including innocent civilians who have opposing views.
We also demand that the state release all Nigerians imprisoned for expressing their democratic rights to protest in #EndBadGovernance rallies across the country.
“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”