Organs of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are currently in a closed door meeting over the arrest and detention of its President, Joe Ajaero on Monday.
Spokesperson of the NLC, Benson Upah, who disclosed this in a statement, said the outcome of the meeting will be made available to the public.
Ajaero was apprehended by Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, on his way to the United Kingdom, on an official assignment on Monday.
In the statement, NLC condemned Ajaero’s detention as unlawful and an act of intimidation, saying that he was not subject to any legal warrant or declaration as a fugitive.
It also, described the detention as a violation of democratic principles and an affront to citizens’ rights.
The Congress called for Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release and urged international human rights organisations to take note of the situation. It further asked its affiliates, civil society organisations and Nigerians to be on alert to the development.
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship. Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
“The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions. We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.
“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public,” it stated.
