News
NLC To DSS: Release Ajaero Before 12 Midnight
…Places affiliates, civil society allies on red alert
The National Administrative Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Monday evening, demanded for the “unconditional release” of its President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, from the custody of the Directorate of State Services, DSS, before 12 midnight.
Ajaero was arrested, Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on his way to the United Kingdom where he was billed to attend a Trade Union Congress, TUC, meeting.
Describing the arrest as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles,” the NLC not only demanded for their President’s release before or by the 12 midnight ultimatum, they also asked for the immediate reversal of the recent hike in pump price to N617/litre.
The NLC’s National Administrative Council made the demand via a communique issued by its Deputy President, Comrade Adeyanju Adewale.
Declaring that the arrest cannot be justified by Nigeria’s laws, the NLC said it has put “all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert” as it “will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon.”
Consequently, the NLC has placed all its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on the red alert, warning that it will not stand by while workers’ rights are trampled upon.
The Administrative Council also summoned an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council to take further action against what it termed the administration’s “authoritarianism and lawlessness.”
The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and opposing oppression.
The Congress also called for the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage. “The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.
“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 reads.
