….As NLC president shuns Police invitation
….Amnesty International, Shehu Sani, Adeyanju, others kick
BY MYKE UZENDU and DAVID ADUGE – ANI
Few weeks after the nation was kept at a standstill following the 10 days antigovernment nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, another nationwide shut down of the country and economy, could be looming as the organized labour has threatened to call out its 54 affiliate groups to a nationwide strike if the federal government, through the Nigeria Police Force arrests its president, Joe Ajaero
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued the threat after its meeting on Tuesday, warning the federal government against any harm, incrimination, or further smearing of the image of the NLC and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in the ongoing investigation over alleged terrorism financing and other charges.
“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.
“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress as a result of these unfounded allegations by the State, the NEC directs all its affiliates and state councils to commence an indefinite nationwide strike by 12:00 Midnight today.”
The NEC, an organ of the NLC comprising presidents and general secretaries of its 54 affiliate unions, further denounced the police invitation, expressing the belief that it is “premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.”
This is even as the president, Joe Ajaero, failed to honour an invitation on Tuesday for questioning by the Nigeria police, who said it was investigating a case of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime, in which it said the NLC president is mentioned
Ajaero had while responding to the Police invitation, through his lawyers promised to appear before the police panel on August 29, 2024
The NLC NEC, in a communique issued after its meeting on Tuesday and signed by Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir, NLC Deputy President, stated: “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the recent developments surrounding the invitation of the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force.
“This invitation is premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
“The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and opportunistic campaign of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves as follows: We Shall Honour the Invitation: 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 an extension of time given the nature of the invitation.
“However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations leveled against him. Condemnation of the State’s Actions: The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labour leaders. We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.
“Call for the State to Desist: The NEC warns the State to desist from its malicious intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith. The Congress will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the State.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately begin the process of mobilizing their members across the nation.
“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.
“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, the NEC directs all its affiliates and state councils to proceed with an indefinite nationwide strike by 12:00 Midnight today.
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general public to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress during this critical time. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defense of our shared democratic values.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country.”
NLC president shuns invitation, fixes date to appear before Police
Ajaero in his response to the Police invitation, told the Inspector General of Police (IGP), via a letter from his lawyers, Falana and Falana Chambers, that he would appear on August 29, stressing that he had already fixed other engagements before the Police letter came to the Congress.
The NLC president in the letter by his lawyers, also demanded details of the allegations levelled against him by the Police.
Parts of the letter signed by Samuel Ogala, read: “Therefore, Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.
“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Ajaero requests for the details and nature of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime levelled against him.
“While awaiting your response to this letter, please accept the assurance of our highest esteem.”
Invitation a plot to stifle opposition – Amnesty International
As condemnations continue to trail the invitation of NLC president Joe Ajaero by the Police over alleged terrorism sponsorship, treasonable felony, subversion and other criminal charges, the Amnesty International (AI) has called on the federal government to desist from intimidating unions and stifling opposition voices.
In a statement issued by its Director, Isa Sanusi, AI said that the Nigerian authorities are bent on intimidating the NLC and its leadership.
AI Nigeria said it was concerned about the fresh attempts by the Nigerian authorities to intimidate and harass the NLC and its president.
It called on government to end what it described as “pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour” whether or not they agree or disagree with government and its policies. It described the situation as a new low in the government’s human rights records
Sanusi said, “The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union.”
He added that the allegations against NLC and its leadership by FG and its security apparatus are just punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for standing up for workers’ rights.
Also adding his voice is human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to call his officer to order in order not to undermine the democratic principles in the country.
He said Nigerians would not fold their hands and allow the country to descend into fascism.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Adeyanju while admitting that there was nothing wrong with the Police invitation of the labour leader as part of the ongoing investigation, described the threat to arrest him as undemocratic and a premeditated decision of guilt.
He said that Nigerians would resist any attempt to turn the country into a dictatorship
The statement read, “My Attention has been drawn to a letter issued by the Nigerian Police Force on the 19th day of August, 2024, purporting to invite the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajero, for an interview over a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime, in which his name was allegedly mentioned. The letter concluded with a threat of arrest if Mr. Joe Ajero does not honour the invitation.
“While I recognise the fact that the Nigerian Police Force has the power to invite anybody in relation to ongoing investigations, it is, however, imperative to sound a note of caution, as it appears from the invitation letter, that the Nigerian Police Force has already reached a premeditated decision on Joe Ajero’s guilt.
“I, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to call his officers to order and refrain from heating the polity, as we will not sit idle and watch Nigeria descend into fascism, the outcome of which no one can predict.”