In light of the ongoing confrontation with the Nigeria Police, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has urged its members to prepare for a potential nationwide strike, effective from midnight on Tuesday. The NLC issued a statement following an emergency National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja, instructing all state chapters and affiliates to mobilize workers for an indefinite strike should any harm come to NLC President Joe Ajaero, who has been summoned by the police for questioning regarding allegations of terrorism financing.
This Police summons follows a recent midnight raid conducted by joint security personnel at the NLC national secretariat in Abuja. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun defended the raid, stating that the police were pursuing one of the terrorists responsible for the unrest in Sudan.
The police also indicated that the operation aimed to uncover seditious materials linked to the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which escalated into violence in various regions, particularly in the North, where some demonstrators were observed displaying the Russian flag and calling for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu.
On Monday, the police had requested Ajaero’s presence for questioning at 10 am concerning allegations of terrorism financing and treasonable felony. In response, the NLC National Executive Council convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning to assess the situation. Upon concluding the meeting, the NLC leadership characterized Ajaero’s summons as “a clearly unfounded and politically-motivated investigation” in their statement. Signed by NLC Deputy President Ado Sani Minjibir, the communique emphasized that the congress would not hesitate to undertake all necessary measures, including mass protests and industrial actions, to safeguard the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
The NEC has directed all affiliates and state councils to promptly initiate the mobilization of their members nationwide. The meeting conveyed serious apprehension regarding the Nigeria Police’s decision to pursue a baseless and opportunistic campaign of intimidation, harassment, and persecution, rather than addressing the congress’s earlier demand concerning the invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies. “This represents a gross injustice and a clear effort to suppress the voices of the working populace and their representatives, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization Conventions 87 and 98. In response to this situation, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has resolved as follows,” it stated.
The NLC affirmed its intention to respond to the police’s invitation, demonstrating its commitment to the rule of law and due process as a responsible labor organization. However, it emphasized that it would not remain passive while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are violated with impunity by the state. “The NLC will comply with the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will request an extension of time due to the nature of the invitation. “Nonetheless, we wish to make it clear that this does not in any way validate the unfounded accusations made against him. “The Nigeria Labour Congress is steadfast in its dedication to safeguarding the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian populace. We will not be intimidated or silenced by these desperate efforts to suppress us. The NEC strongly denounces the ongoing harassment of the Nigeria Labour Congress leadership and other labor leaders. We perceive this as a deliberate strategy to undermine and destabilize the labor movement, which has consistently served as a stronghold of democratic values and the voice of the Nigerian people.
