The Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC has called for immediate and unconditional release of it’s president, Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero was seized and whisked away by security agents while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain. He was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed.
The NLC in a press release signed by its head of information and public affairs, Benson Upah said it is yet to ascertain Ajaero’s whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
It said Ajaero was detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument, adding that his detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.
The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.
According to the congress, the action of the security agents is not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
In the light of this development, the Congress has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert, stating that it will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon.
NLC also called on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of what it calls rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. It further said that the world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
The statement said the NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state.
The Congress disclosed that all its organs are in a closed door meeting and the outcome will be made available to the public.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
