The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning, declaring that a widespread protest and indefinite strike may ensue if the government continues to target, accuse, or tarnish the reputation of the NLC and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, amid ongoing inquiries into purported terrorism funding.
“The Congress is prepared to take all necessary measures, including mass demonstrations and industrial actions, to defend the dignity and autonomy of the labor movement,” they stated firmly.
“If any harm comes to the Congress President or any other leader due to these baseless claims from the State, we instruct all affiliates and state councils to initiate an indefinite nationwide strike starting at midnight tonight.”
The NEC, which consists of presidents and general secretaries from 54 affiliated unions, strongly criticized the police summons, claiming it is based on groundless and politically charged allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other serious offenses.
After an urgent meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, NEC Deputy President Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir released a statement expressing their discontent: “The NEC convened an emergency meeting to discuss the troubling invitation sent to our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force.”
“This invitation stems from a clearly unfounded and politically motivated probe into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, and treasonable felony,” they reiterated.
The NEC expressed deep concern that rather than apologizing for the previous raid on the NLC’s headquarters by security forces, the Nigeria Police have chosen to engage in a campaign of intimidation and harassment.
“This is nothing more than a crude attempt to silence the voices of the working class and their leaders, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions,” they asserted.
In response, the NEC resolved the following: **We Will Comply with the Invitation:** While the NLC is committed to the rule of law and due process, it will comply with the police summons but will seek an extension due to the nature of the request. Nonetheless, they emphasized that this does not legitimize the unfounded allegations against their President.
**Condemnation of State Actions:** The NEC condemned the ongoing harassment of the NLC leadership, viewing it as a calculated effort to undermine the labor movement, which has historically championed democratic values and represented the voice of the Nigerian populace.
The NEC urged the State to halt its malicious pursuits and end the witch-hunt against Congress leaders. “We will not remain passive as the rights and freedoms of our members and leaders are violated with impunity,” they warned.
The NEC instructed all affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members nationwide immediately. “The Congress will not hesitate to take decisive actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to safeguard the integrity and autonomy of the labor movement.”
“If anything happens to our President or any Congress leader due to these misleading accusations from the State, we direct all affiliates and councils to commence an indefinite nationwide strike at midnight tonight.”
The NEC also called on civil society and the public to stand in solidarity with the NLC during these challenging times. “The battle against injustice is a collective one, and we urge every Nigerian to defend our shared democratic ideals.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress remains steadfast in its mission to protect the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people, vowing not to be intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence them. “We are committed to upholding justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our cherished nation.”
