The Federal Government has been issued a Monday mid-night ultimatum to secure the release of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, Joe Ajaero, following his reported detention by security forces.
This is even as the congress vehemently condemned the arrest and detention of its President, describing it as using heavy-handed tactics to suppress workers’ rights and silence opposition.
Ajaero was arrested by the Department of State Services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a Trade Union Congress meeting.
The NLC’s National Administrative Council in a communique by the congress’ Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale on Monday evening described the detention as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.”
The council demanded Ajaero’s release by 12 midnight and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike to N617/litre.
The NLC has placed its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on the red alert, warning that it will not stand by while workers’ rights are trampled upon.
The council has also summoned an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council to take further action against the government’s “authoritarianism and lawlessness.”
The NLC has reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and opposing oppression, urging the government to reverse its “dangerous trend” and implement the new National Minimum Wage.
The communique read: “The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.
READ ALSO: DSS arrests labour leader, Ajaero at Abuja airport
“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.
“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 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.
“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 statement read in part.
The union said it 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.”
Credible News.ng
