Ajaero departs Police Headquarters Following Questioning Over Allegations

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has left the headquarters of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja after honoring a police summons over allegations of treason, terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, and criminal conspiracy. Ajaero arrived at the IRT headquarters at 10:17 am and departed by 11:15 am after writing his statement. He declined to speak to journalists at the IRT but promised to address the media at the NLC headquarters.

This police invitation followed a recent night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, where authorities sought to uncover seditious materials linked to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. The police had requested Ajaero to appear on August 20, 2024, but the NLC requested a postponement, citing prior engagements. Consequently, Ajaero, accompanied by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana, Marshal Abubakar, Deji Adeyanju, and senior NLC officials, appeared on August 29, 2024.

In response to the police summons, the NLC Central Working Committee (CWC) issued a circular on Wednesday, mobilizing union members and affiliate associations for a peaceful procession at police headquarters across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The NLC NEC condemned the police actions, labeling the charges against Ajaero as politically motivated attempts to silence organized labour.

The NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, directed all state councils and affiliates to participate in the peaceful procession and prayer session in solidarity with Ajaero. In Abuja, members were instructed to assemble at the NLC National Headquarters at 8 am to accompany Ajaero to the police. In state capitals, members were advised to gather at their respective state secretariats before proceeding to their state police headquarters for the solidarity march.

The NLC warned that if Ajaero were detained, all workers nationwide would commence an indefinite strike. The union urged members to remain peaceful and orderly during the processions, emphasizing that their collective efforts are crucial in defending civic rights and the integrity of the labour movement in Nigeria.

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the NLC and the Nigerian government, as the labour movement continues to push back against what it perceives as attempts to stifle dissent and undermine workers’ rights.