The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on its members to prepare for a nationwide strike starting at midnight on Tuesday if any harm comes to NLC President Joe Ajaero. This move follows a recent police invitation for Ajaero to address allegations of terrorism financing.
The NLC’s decision comes after a contentious police raid on its national secretariat in Abuja. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun justified the raid by stating it was part of an investigation into a terrorism-related crisis connected to recent nationwide protests. The police also suggested the raid was to uncover materials related to seditious activities, particularly in light of some protests where Russian flags were displayed and calls for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation were made.
On Monday, Ajaero was summoned for questioning on charges including terrorism financing and treasonable felony. In response, the NLC convened an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja. The communique issued after the meeting condemned the police summons as “a clearly unfounded and politically-motivated investigation.”
The NLC’s Deputy President, Ado Sani Minjibir, stated, “The congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.” The communique further noted, “If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the state, NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils alert to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 midnight today.”
The NLC has called on civil society groups and the general public to support them during this period. They expressed grave concerns over what they describe as a “travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership.”
In addition to honoring the police invitation, the NLC has demanded an extension of time due to the nature of the allegations against Ajaero. The congress emphasised that complying with the invitation does not validate the allegations. “The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people,” the statement added. “We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us.”
The NLC also criticised the police for what they see as continued harassment of their leadership and a calculated attempt to destabilise the labor movement. “The NEC warns the state to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith,” the communique concluded.
This latest development follows a July 7 night raid on the NLC’s secretariat, where security personnel, including those in plain clothes and from the Department of State Services, conducted searches for incriminating documents. The NLC has since demanded the release of its seized documents and criticised government attempts to interfere with the organisation’s internal affairs.
