NLC demands release of Joe Ajaero before midnight

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its president, Joe Ajaero.

In a communiqué issued on Monday following an emergency meeting in Abuja, the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) demanded that Ajaero be released before “midnight today.”

According to Benson Upah, the NLC spokesperson, Ajaero was “whisked away” by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) while on his way to the United Kingdom for a conference organized by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.

“After thorough deliberation, the NAC reached the following resolutions: the Council strongly condemns the unlawful and unwarranted detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State,” the communiqué stated.

“The NLC is deeply concerned that Comrade Ajaero was performing his legitimate duties representing Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense justifying his detention.

“His detention represents a violation of workers’ rights and undermines the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.

“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before midnight today.

“The Council strongly condemns this illegal act by the Nigerian State, which was carried out without any legal basis or justification.”

The NLC further described Ajaero’s detention as an attempt to intimidate and silence dissent within the labour movement, stating that it infringes upon the rights of workers and citizens to organize and freely express their views.

In response to the recent increase in petrol prices, the NLC called for a return to the previous price of N167 per litre, emphasizing that it would not stand by while Nigerians’ rights are violated.

The labour congress has scheduled a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) for Tuesday to discuss its response if Ajaero is not released.

The NLC reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to defending the rights of workers and safeguarding the freedoms of all Nigerians, in light of what it describes as the federal government’s “dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness.”