“NLC’s Ajaero Defiant After Police Interrogation: ‘We Won’t Be Intimidated.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has strongly reaffirmed the union’s resolve to stand against any form of intimidation following his recent questioning by the police. Ajaero was summoned to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja to address serious allegations including terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Ajaero arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, accompanied by a team of supporters, including renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and activist Deji Adeyanju. After spending nearly an hour at the police headquarters, Ajaero emerged to assert the NLC’s unwavering commitment to its cause.
In his remarks to journalists at the Labour House, Ajaero dismissed the allegations as unfounded and baseless, emphasizing that the NLC will not be deterred by external pressures. “We can’t be intimidated,” he declared, underlining the union’s resolve to continue advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers.
Reflecting on the challenges that come with leading a labor union, Ajaero noted that such experiences are not new to him and other labor leaders. He recalled previous instances of facing similar threats, including during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, when he and Falana were detained. Despite these challenges, Ajaero stressed that the NLC remains focused on pressing for the implementation of the minimum wage and other initiatives aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
The NLC president’s appearance at the IRT headquarters followed an earlier invitation from the police on August 20, which he was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Ajaero maintained a confident and defiant stance, viewing the allegations as part of a broader effort to weaken the labor movement.
Ajaero assured that the NLC would continue to operate transparently and fight for the interests of workers across Nigeria. He reiterated that the union’s resolve has only been strengthened by recent events, and it remains committed to its mission, undeterred by any attempts to undermine its efforts.
The police investigation, which included allegations as serious as terrorism financing and treasonable felony, could have significant implications for both Ajaero personally and the NLC as an organization. However, Ajaero’s firm response suggests that the union will not back down from its advocacy for workers’ rights, even in the face of potential legal challenges.
The presence of high-profile supporters like Femi Falana and the solidarity shown by other NLC officials highlights the seriousness with which the union is approaching this situation. It also underscores the potential for this confrontation to escalate into a broader struggle over the independence and effectiveness of labor unions in Nigeria.
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