NLC to members: Be on red alert for nationwide action if Cmr. Ajero is arrested
By Matthew Denis
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has placed her members and affiliates unions on red alert for nationwide industrial action if the Nigeria Police Force arrest her president, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
This was disclosed by the National Vice President of NLC and National President of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Cmr. Kabiru Ado Sani on Tuesday.
According to him as a law abiding organization the NLC will honor the invitation by the police however solicit for more time to brief their lawyers appropriately.
Comrade Kabiru however threaten that should the police go ahead to arrest their president they will have no choice than to embark on nationwide industrial action.
Earlier, the Organised labour had called for an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in response to the police summoning its National President, Joe Ajaero, over allegations of financing terrorism.
The NEC meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday (today) with the participation of all affiliate leaders and state chapter representatives of the NLC.
The notification for this emergency meeting, titled “Notice of Emergency National Executive Council Meeting,” was issued by NLC’s Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja.
The notice reads: “I bring you fraternal greetings from the congress headquarters.
“You are invited to the emergency National Executive Council Hybrid meeting scheduled as follows:Tuesday, August 20, 2024; 8am
Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House.”
Earlier, it was reported that Ajaero had been summoned by the police on charges relating to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
The letter of invitation, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, stated that Ajaero’s name was implicated in ongoing investigations linked to the aforementioned charges.
The letter directed Ajaero to appear at the IRT Complex, Abattoir near Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20, at 10 a.m., warning that a warrant of arrest would be issued if he failed to comply.
Recall that security forces conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja on July 7.
The police later confirmed their involvement in the operation, stating that it was an effort to uncover incriminating documents related to an international “subversive” figure viewed as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The NLC rejected the police’s explanation for the raid last week and demanded the release of its detained members and the return of the seized documents.
The Congress also condemned what it described as government attempts to meddle in its internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
