The Nigeria Labour Congress, or NLC, given the federal government until Monday at midnight to release Joe Ajaero, its president, with no conditions.
The NLC said in a communiqué signed by NLC Deputy President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju.
He said the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government
Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
Read related News: Reverse Pump Price of Petrol Immediately; NLC Demands
Despite several discussions, the NAC settled on this: The voice in Nigeria. In addition, NAC demands that the current rise in gas prices to N617 per liter be urgently removed.
“State of Alert: The Nigerian public, State Councils, Civil Society Allies, and the Congress themselves are all put on red alert by the Congress. Comrade Ajaero’s confinement is an attack on every person’s right to organize, protest, and express themselves freely, not just on the leadership of the NLC.
“The NLC will not let these rights to be infringed. The State is trying to prevent the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage with this provocation.
The NLC restates its commitment to safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens and workers. The Congress will not back down from its efforts to fight oppression in any form. Thus, the National Executive Council (NEC) in session calls an urgent meeting for tomorrow, September 10, 2024, at 9:00 AM in order to take decisive steps against the forces of retrogression that are currently in place.
The country’s democratic fabric is at risk, hence the NAC calls on the Nigerian government to stop this dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness. When the NAC is in session, it insists that the recently passed New National Minimum Wage be put into effect right away.
The Nigeria Labour Congress is resolute in upholding the freedom of all Nigerians and the rights of workers.
