The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a Monday midnight deadline to unconditionally release its President, Joe Ajaero, or face dire consequences.
Ajaero was reportedly arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom to attend a conference.
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.
NLC said it has fixed a National Executive Council, NEC, Meeting for Tuesday, 9am to take appropriate response if Ajaero was not released.
The NLC's National Administrative Council (NAC) condemned the arrest and detention, describing it as "brazen and illegal" and an "affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles."
The council demanded Ajaero's immediate release, stating that he is not a fugitive or criminal and that his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labor movement's voice.
The NLC also demanded the reversal of the current hike in petrol price to N617/Litre and the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage, which has been signed into law.
The council placed all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert, stating that Ajaero's detention is an attack on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.
The NLC summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) for Tuesday at 9:00 AM to take action against the government's "forces of retrogression."
The council urged the government to reverse its "dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness" and implement the new National Minimum Wage.
Ajaero's arrest and detention have sparked outrage among labor leaders and civil society organizations, who see it as an attempt to silence dissent and undermine the labor movement.
The NLC has vowed to defend the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens, and to oppose all forms of oppression.
The federal government's actions have been widely criticized as an attack on democratic principles and the rights of workers.
The NLC's request has raised tensions between the government and labor leaders, with many fearing a prolonged industrial action if Ajaero is not released.
