NLC Demands Ajaero’s Release Before Midnight

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, before midnight on Monday.

Osun Defender reports Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, en route to the United Kingdom where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.

A communiqué issued by Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale at the end of the emergency National Administrative Council, NLC, condemned what it termed the brazen and illegal detention of its president by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.

The NLC described the detention as “an affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression

The Council said Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, noting that his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labor movement’s voice in Nigeria.

READ: Ajaero: Tinubu Lawless, Silencing Opposition – NLC

“The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification,” the communique stated.

“His detention is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely,” the communique added.

The NLC also demanded the reversal of the current hike in petrol price to N617/Litre and placed all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert.

“This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage which has been signed into law.

“We will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon,” the communique warned.