The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a strong warning to the federal government, has directed its members and all workers in the country to shut down the economy if the police arrest Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC’s President. This directive follows an invitation sent to Ajaero by the Nigerian police over allegations of financing terrorism. The NLC views this invitation as a direct attack on the labor movement and has responded by preparing for significant action if the situation escalates.
The NLC’s leadership convened an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Labour House to discuss the implications of the police action and determine the way forward. At this meeting, the NLC expressed its concerns and laid out a plan for responding to the police’s actions. Deputy President of the NLC, Kabiru Ado Sani, spoke on behalf of the union and emphasized that the invitation of Ajaero was not just a personal issue but an issue that affects all workers across the country.
Sani stated that the NLC is committed to abiding by the rule of law but needs more time to consult with legal experts before proceeding.
Sani said, “At the end of the meeting, we reached some certain resolutions. Part of the resolution is that, as a committed labour centre, we agreed or that we abide by the rule of law and due process.
“We will honour the invitation of the Nigerian police because we are not a faceless organisation, but we believe that we need an extension of time, after consultation with our lawyers, because this invitation was extended to the Congress President yesterday and asked to report at the police by 10 a.m. today.
“So we are already working with our lawyers to look for extension of time, but this does not legitimise the charges by the Nigerian police to the Congress leadership.
“Secondly, we resolve that in an event our Congress President was arrested or detained at any moment, we put our affiliate on red alert to mobilise our membership across the country, that all workers in this country should down tool their services.
“This is the resolution because Comrades, this organisation belongs to all of us, therefore we should do everything possible to safeguard the safety of this organisation. We, therefore, thank you very much, and you should wait for further directives by our leadership.
“Whatever happens, we will communicate your leadership, and your leadership will communicate with you. So we urge you to remain calm and go back peacefully to our workplace and await further directives.”
