Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the federal Government for the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services, and taking over the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Atiku claimed that Tinubu’s administration’s repressive control now outstrips even the worst days of military dictatorship.
Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, was arrested by the Department of State Services on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport while he was going to the United Kingdom on official duties.
On the same day, the DSS also raided the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s (SERAP) Abuja office.
Ajaero was held in custody throughout the day and was released late Monday night.
According to Atiku, Ajaero’s arrest is an illustration of how the current administration is constantly trying to stifle and intimidate organized labour., adding that there has to be a stop to the blatant disregard for human rights.
He stated, “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The recent arrest of Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, en route to an official engagement, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour”.
In addition, the former Vice President mentioned that the DSS raid on SERAP was fundamentally hostile to the values of liberty and justice and clearly negates laid down democratic values.
The post read in part : “Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?
“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon SERAP, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.
“Tinubu and his security apparatus must redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the true perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people.”
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