The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will embark on a series of protests and industrial actions should the Nigeria Police Force detain or arrest its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero was on Monday, August 19, invited by the police for questioning in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
The letter of invitation was dated August 19, 2024 and signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Department of Force Intelligence.
On Tuesday, the NLC reached a resolution to shut down the nation should anything untoward happen to Ajaero, insisting that his invitation was unfounded and politically motivated.
The resolution was reached at the end of its emergency National Executive Council meeting, which was held at its national secretariat in Abuja with some of the executives joining virtually.
At the meeting, which started around 8:30 am, it was resolved that Ajaero would honour the invitation but sought more time to appear before the police investigating team.
The communique read: "As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation. However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimise the baseless allegations leveled against him.
"The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilising their members across the nation. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement. If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State.
“NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 midnight today.
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defense of our shared democratic values.”
