DSS averts national protest, releases Ajaero minutes to NLC’s ultimatum
Nigeria’s Department of State Security (DSS) on Monday released the president of the Nigeria Labour Party (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on bail around 11.25pm, a few minutes to the midnight ultimatum issued by the unionists.
Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom to attend the British Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) conference in London.
NLC officials confirmed his release. Another activist, Omoyele Sowore, also confirmed his release via his X account. The release was equally confirmed by a lawyer to the NLC, Deji Adeyanju.
Less than one hour after Ajaero was arrested, the leadership of the congress summoned an emergency National Administrative Council meeting at the Labour House.
READ ALSO: Why DSS arrested Nigeria Labour Congress president, Joe Ajaero
The meeting, presided over by the Deputy President, Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale, said the organised labour would begin action today (Tuesday) if Ajaero was detained beyond midnight.
In a communiqué he read after the meeting, Adewale said the NAC asked the federal government to reverse what he described as a “dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness, which threatens the country’s democratic fabric.”
It read in part: “The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government.
“Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows:
“Condemnation of the detention: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.
“The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offence warranting such action. His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
“Demand for immediate and unconditional release: The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.
“The council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labour movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/litre.
“State of alert: The Congress places all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organise, protest, and express themselves freely.
“The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.
“Mobilisation for further action: The NLC reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens. The Congress will not relent in its efforts to oppose all forms of oppression”, it said in the communique.
