NLC president released by DSS.
The Nigeria Labour Congress’ President, Joe Ajaero, has been granted administrative bail by the Department of State Services. He was released just a few minutes before the organized labor’s 12 a.m. deadline.
Omoyele Sowore, a pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, announced his release via Twitter on Monday night.
“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @officialDSSNG custody on bail,” he tweeted on X.com.
The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Social Democratic Party all criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Monday in response to the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero and the Department of State Services raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Abuja office.
Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while on his way to the United Kingdom for an official job. The NLC president was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which starts today.
The DSS also raided SERAP’s Abuja office. According to reports, the cops sought to talk with the rights group’s directors. Following its president’s detention, the NLC convened a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaero’s immediate release and urging all chapters to prepare for a possible statewide strike.
Adeyanju Adewale, the NLC’s deputy president, issued a statement following the meeting describing the detention as “brazen and illegal” and a “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.” The council sought Ajaero’s release by Monday at midnight, as well as the reversal of the recent increase in petrol prices to N617/litre.
The NLC announced that it had put its affiliates, state councils, and civil society supporters on red alert, warning that it would not stand by while workers’ rights were violated.
The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and combating tyranny, urging the administration to stop its “dangerous trend” and implement the new National Minimum Wage.
