We’ll begin indefinite strike tonight if anything happens to Ajaero, NLC Says

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning that it will launch an indefinite nationwide strike at midnight if any harm befalls its president, Joe Ajaero.

Ado Kabiru Sani, NLC’s deputy president, made this declaration on Tuesday through a communique released after the national executive council (NEC) meeting.

The NEC gathered to deliberate on Ajaero’s recent police summons concerning allegations related to “terrorism financing.”

The council resolved that Ajaero should comply with the police summons but urged the nation’s workers to be on alert for further instructions if the situation escalates.

“As a responsible labor organization dedicated to upholding the rule of law and due process, the NLC will comply with the police invitation extended to its President, but we will request additional time given the nature of the allegations,” the communique stated.

“However, we must make it clear that this does not in any way validate the unfounded allegations against him.

“The NEC instructs all affiliates and state councils to begin mobilizing their members nationwide immediately.

“The Congress is prepared to take any necessary action, including mass protests and industrial strikes, to defend the integrity and independence of the labor movement.

“Should anything happen to the NLC President or any other Congress leader as a result of these baseless allegations by the State, the NEC has directed all affiliates and state councils to initiate an indefinite nationwide strike by 12:00 midnight tonight.

“The NEC calls on civil society allies and the general public to stand in solidarity with the NLC at this crucial time.

“The fight against injustice and oppression is a shared responsibility, and we urge all Nigerians to unite in defending our collective democratic values.”

The police had invited Ajaero on Monday for questioning in connection with “a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”

The invitation letter, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Adamu Mu’azu, indicated that Ajaero was expected at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) complex in Abuja on Tuesday. Mu’azu warned that an arrest warrant would be issued if Ajaero did not comply.

Benson Upah, NLC’s media head, criticized the police for not addressing the NLC president with his official title in the invitation. He further claimed that the labor movement was being targeted due to the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, which concluded on August 10.

Reports suggest that the police summon is linked to the recent raid on the NLC secretariat in Abuja.

On August 7, police officers conducted a raid on the NLC building in the Central Business District of Abuja, reportedly searching for “seditious materials” connected to the #EndBadGovernance protests.

Later, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun disclosed that one of the masterminds behind the Sudan conflict was traced to the NLC headquarters. He clarified that the police had not raided the secretariat but had tracked the foreigner to a shop within Labour House.