- Mobilises affiliates, 36 States and FCT chapters for showdown
BY EDMOND ODOK – With everything going according to plan, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, will today (Thursday) face operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to answer some questions on allegations on terrorism financing and treason.
However, ahead of the visit, in response to the Police’s invitation sent to him last week, the NLC Central Working Committee (NWC) on Wednesday issued a circular, mobilising its members and affiliate associations for a march on Police head offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The invitation had on August 19 directed the NLC President to appear before the officers on August 20 by 10 am at the headquarters of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), popularly known as Abattoir, where the IRT office is located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to answer questions on his alleged involvement in “terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.”
Coming in the wake of a night raid by the police on the Labour House national secretariat of the NLC in Abuja, which the Force claimed was to uncover seditious materials in connection with the recent nationwide hunger or #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, Comrade Ajaero, had through his lawyer, in a letter signed Samuel Ogala, principal partner at the Falana & Falana’s Chambers, declined the invitation while demanding to be furnished with the details of the allegations levelled against him.
Additionally, the NLC President said that the date given was not convenient due to prior official engagements lined up before the arrival of the invitation and offered his availability for questioning on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
With the count-down to today’s engagement, reports emerged on Wednesday that leaders of the Congress have been mobilising members of affiliate unions across the federation and the state chapters to rise in solidarity with the NLC President.
A circular issued by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, specifically requested all affiliate unions, state councils and national officers to mobilise their members to show solidarity for Ajaero on Thursday by gathering for a peaceful procession and prayer session nationwide.
The circular reads; “In response to the recent summons by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024, we call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilise their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.
“Details for Participation: In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8 am on Thursday, August 29, 2024, to accompany the President to the police for the scheduled interaction.
“In State Capitals: Members should gather at their respective state secretariats of Congress. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their state police headquarters, where they will hold a prayer session until the president’s interaction with the police is concluded.
“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session. If for any reason, the President is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike.
“Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.
“Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.”
Forefront News reports that following the Police invitation, the National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC held an emergency meeting in the early hours of August 20, where it not only condemned the move but also described the allegations against Ajaero as “trumped-up and politically motivated to silence organised labour.”
Also maintaining that the Police invitation to the Comrade President was too short, the NEC resolved to ask for a postponement of his appearance and the decision was eventually conveyed in a letter by the NLC lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), to the police, asking that the meeting be shifted to August 29 as Ajaero was not available for August 20.
