Nigeria Labour Congress says its leader, Joe Ajaero, will honour the invitation by the police for investigation over alleged terrorism subversion. NLC deputy president Kabiru Sani said the union arrived at the decision at its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, with some executives joining virtually. The police invited Mr Ajaero for interrogation on charges related to alleged “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.” Meanwhile CSOs, Tuesday, expressed concern over the invitation and demanded the Police conduct an open and transparent investigation including fair hearing on the allegations raised against Ajero. Reacting to the invitation of the NLC boss by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo said, “This invitation is a bit troubling and disturbing because some of the allegations the police are making are quite tough and serious allegations that cannot be ignored. So, I think that as a country we need to really rise to the occasion to protect the rights of people who occupy leadership positions that hold the government to account. “The Ajero’s ordeal, which attacks neither his personality nor his own safety, is not new. If you recall during the Imo elections that he was assaulted and brutalized, the NLC office was raided , and also all that linked to the EndBadGovernance protest, and this invitation is coming just right after EndBadGovernance protest is concerning, the police needs to be a lot more open and transparent to know what offence he has committed.
“But what is critical is to know that he is innocent until proven guilty , and this is why those allegations are still allegations, they need to be proven. But I hope that this is not an attempt to stifle dissent or an attempt to clampdown on individuals and organisations that speak and criticize government policies and actions. Nigerians need to be more vigilant in a way that one forces them to quiet and be silent or censored to the extent that they could no longer ask questions because democracy thrives on asking questions, and all these attempts to clampdown on active citizenship. All these attempt to silence citizenship and should be resisted by all means because our lives begin to end the day we begin to keep silent about the things that matter, and in this case, Holding government to account, asking the government those questions are very critical, and we know that political actors, especially those in power never want to be accountable and never want to be asked questions. He further stated that, “We should not fall for those blackmails by different political forces, especially those in government. And in the same vein, Nigerians should also work within the armpits of the law, non-violence is the best approach towards driving change, violence will not solve our problem, not put food on our table and provide security. So we must subscribe to the no-violence principle of organizing and only then can we get the change we want
Mr Sani said NEC maintained that Mr Ajaero’s invitation was premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation, yet they would honour the summon. “As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation,” he said. Mr Sani said NEC also resolved that if anything happened to Mr Ajaero, the labour movement would not hesitate to embark on nationwide protest and strike action.
“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. NLC will take the actions 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 has put all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 midnight today,” he said. Mr Sani said the NEC had directed all its affiliates and state councils to mobilise their members across the nation immediately. He also called on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the NLC in its critical moment. Mr Sani condemned the continued harassment of the leadership of the NLC, describing it as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilise the labour movement.
According to him, NLC has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses. He warned the government to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the NLC immediately. According to him, the NLC will not sit idly while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the government. (NAN)
Terrorism Charge: Ajaero to honour police invitation, NLC threatens mass protests as CSO express concern
