The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its determination to continue advocating for workers’ rights despite facing intense scrutiny from law enforcement. The NLC’s President, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the police on serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. This has led the labor movement to accuse the government of attempting to silence its leadership through state-sponsored harassment and intimidation.
On Monday, August 19, 2024, the police issued an invitation to Ajaero to appear at the Force Headquarters. However, the NLC has responded by denouncing what it perceives as a coordinated effort to undermine its leadership. The Congress has called on its affiliates to prepare for an economic shutdown if Ajaero is arrested.
Chief Femi Falana, SAN, Ajaero’s legal representative, has clarified that the NLC President is unable to attend the police invitation scheduled for August 20 due to prior commitments. Ajaero will be available to meet the police on August 29, 2024. Falana also requested detailed information regarding the charges against Ajaero to ensure a transparent process.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation. Organizations such as Amnesty International Nigeria and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) have condemned the police actions as attempts to stifle legitimate dissent. ITUC, representing millions of workers worldwide, has criticized the Nigerian government for its increasing repression of trade unions and called for an end to the harassment.
The ITUC highlighted previous incidents, including a raid on the NLC headquarters and a violent crackdown on protests. The organization expressed deep concern over what it sees as systematic violations of labor rights and freedoms. ITUC Africa also voiced its condemnation, citing the misuse of state power against trade union leaders as a clear breach of both international and Nigerian labor laws.
In response to these developments, various civil society groups have rallied in support of the NLC. The Abuja Human Rights Lawyers, led by Deji Adeyanju, have shown solidarity by pledging to accompany Ajaero to the police station if needed. Additionally, the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has criticized the government for its perceived attempt to suppress democratic and labor rights through repressive tactics.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) have also voiced their concerns. NUEE condemned the police’s actions as politically motivated, while NUTGTWN condemned the raids and subsequent invitation of Ajaero, calling for immediate preparation for industrial action if the situation escalates.
The NLC, through its Deputy President Kabiru Ado Sani, has reiterated its commitment to fighting for workers’ rights despite the threats. He emphasized that the NLC’s actions are in line with its democratic mandate to address workers’ grievances and that any arrest of Ajaero will trigger nationwide mobilization by its affiliates.
One of the leaders of NLC, told Vanguard: “There are grand designs by some interest groups to silence NLC under the current leadership. But they fail to understand that we cannot be silenced.
“We are fighting a just cause. We have the right to express our views in a democracy. The workers elected us to fight and make demands for them. They are hungry, they are suffering, and they are dying and are in pain. These are what we are telling the government which they do not want to hear. These are the reasons they are after us, trying to cow us by all means.
“The operator of the bookshop (Iva Valley) has been on the second floor of Labour House for years. We did not bring him there. If he has issues with the police, what concerns us? We believe the state is using this as a cover-up. They aim to emasculate Labour because of their vested interest.”
