The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting on September 9, 2024, to address the unlawful arrest of Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC President. Ajaero was detained by agents of the Nigerian government at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom to represent Nigerian workers at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
During the meeting, the NAC strongly condemned Ajaero’s detention, asserting that it occurred without any legal warrant or justification. The Council emphasized that Ajaero was simply fulfilling his duty to advocate for workers’ rights and that this detention represents a blatant violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and expression.
In a decisive move, the NLC demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ajaero, setting a deadline of midnight on the same day. The Congress characterized his detention as an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and undermining the labor movement in Nigeria. Additionally, they called for the reversal of the recent hike in petrol prices to N617 per litre.
The NLC also placed all affiliates, State Councils, civil society allies, and the general populace on high alert. The Council noted that Ajaero’s detention is not just an attack on him but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize and express themselves freely. They pledged to stand firm against these violations.
Furthermore, the NLC reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and announced an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) scheduled for 9:00 AM on September 10, 2024.
This meeting aims to formulate a response to the current oppressive climate and advocate for the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage, which has already been signed into law.
The NLC concluded by urging the Nigerian government to address this troubling trend