The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is standing firm in the face of government pressure, refusing to back down from its mission to fight for the rights of Nigerian workers. The NLC, led by its President Joe Ajaero, has been under intense scrutiny after Ajaero was summoned by the police on serious charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, and treason. But the union says it will not be silenced.
The Nigerian government has been accused of trying to intimidate and silence the NLC through a series of aggressive actions. These include the recent police summons for Ajaero, which many see as an attempt to weaken the union’s leadership. The charges against Ajaero have sparked outrage among labor and human rights organizations, both in Nigeria and internationally.
One NLC leader spoke out against what they described as a coordinated effort by certain groups to silence the union. “We are fighting for a just cause,” the leader said. “The government doesn’t want to hear our message because we’re standing up for the millions of Nigerians who are suffering.”
The NLC has reached out to international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), to raise awareness about the situation. These global bodies have expressed concern over what they describe as escalating attacks on trade unions in Nigeria. The ITUC, which represents millions of workers worldwide, has called on the Nigerian government to respect the rights of the NLC and stop its campaign of harassment.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who is representing the NLC, explained that Ajaero could not attend the police interview on the initially requested date due to a prior commitment. However, he assured that Ajaero would appear on August 29, and he demanded that the police provide details of the allegations against him.
The police summons have not only angered the NLC but also mobilized other groups in support of the union. Lawyers, civil society organizations, and other unions have shown solidarity with Ajaero, pledging to stand by him if he is arrested. In fact, the NLC has warned that if Ajaero is detained, they will call for a nationwide shutdown of the economy.
“We are ready to shut down the country if our leader is arrested,” said NLC Deputy President Kabiru Ado Sani. “We will not allow the government to intimidate us into silence. This union belongs to all Nigerian workers, and we will do everything to protect it.”
Amnesty International and other global human rights organizations have also condemned the Nigerian government’s actions. Amnesty International Nigeria described the charges against Ajaero as a blatant attempt to undermine the NLC and silence its leaders. The organization has warned that these actions are part of a broader pattern of repression by the Nigerian government, which has increasingly targeted those who speak out against its policies.
Yiaga Africa, a prominent civil society organization, expressed deep concern over the seriousness of the charges against Ajaero. They urged the government to ensure that any investigation is conducted fairly and transparently, warning that targeting labor leaders could have dangerous implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
In response to the government’s actions, various unions across Nigeria are preparing for possible strikes. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) have both directed their members to be ready for industrial action if Ajaero is arrested. These unions argue that the government’s attempts to silence the NLC are not only undemocratic but also threaten the rights of all workers.
The NLC’s battle with the Nigerian government is far from over. The union remains committed to its mission of fighting for workers’ rights and against policies that it believes harm the Nigerian people. The support from both domestic and international organizations shows that the NLC is not alone in its struggle.
Source: Vanguard
