Tinubu-led Govt Intimidating, Targeting NLC Leaders – Amnesty International Says

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Amnesty International (AI) Nigeria has declared that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government is working to undermine and intimidate the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its leadership.

It pointedly said that the Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union.

This was as it noted the alarming increase in attempts by the Nigerian government to silence the NLC, citing a series of incidents, including the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero last November and a recent raid by the Nigeria Police on the NLC headquarters.

In a statement by Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, strongly condemned what it described as the fresh allegations of terrorism levelled against the NLC and its leaders, stressing that they were a blatant attempt to cripple the Labour umbrella organisation.

In the words of Sanusi; “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass the Nigerian Labour Congress through threats of arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero”.

AI specifically said that the government’s actions violates international human rights laws, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the freedom of association.

He further said; “Workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities”.

Amnesty International specifically criticized the threats and intimidation faced by the NLC leadership over legitimate strike action in February, describing these as clear signs of unlawful interference by the government.

It also said; “The authorities should immediately end this bizarre crackdown on leaders of the nation’s labour union. The allegations against the NLC leadership are punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for defending workers’ rights,” Sanusi said.

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