NEWS
NLC Threatens Total Shutdown Over President’s Arrest
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vehemently condemned the arrest of its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding his immediate release or a total nationwide shutdown.
In a statement issued by Comrade Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Relations for the NLC, it was revealed that Ajaero was detained early Monday morning by Nigerian security forces while traveling to the United Kingdom for a global workers’ conference organized by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
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The arrest has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s labour movement and has raised alarms about the government’s increasing suppression of dissent.
Despite efforts to contact Ajaero, his current whereabouts remain unknown, and the NLC has expressed serious concerns for his safety and well-being.
The statement reads, “This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
“Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.
“His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.
“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.
It added “Finally, the organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”
Ukraine has implemented restrictions on Telegram for government, military, and security personnel, citing national security threats associated with the app, founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov.
The National Security and Defence Council announced in a statement on it’s Facebook page that these limitations will affect all government agencies, military units, and critical infrastructure facilities.
The council emphasized that this measure is essential for protecting national security.
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It reads, “The National Security and Defence Council decided to restrict the use of Telegram in government agencies, military formations and critical infrastructure facilities. It is a “matter of national security.”
More to follow………….
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed strong disappointment over the recent increase in fuel prices, accusing President Bola Tinubu of betraying the labour movement after negotiations regarding a new national minimum wage.
At the opening of the ‘Minimum Wage Implementation Workshop, Southern Zone’ in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the new petrol price has severely undermined the anticipated benefits of the forthcoming N70,000 minimum wage.
He emphasized that rising fuel costs are pushing workers into deeper hardship, counteracting any advantages the minimum wage was meant to provide.
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Ajaero argued that organized labor was misled into accepting the N70,000 minimum wage under the belief it would prevent further fuel price increases.
“We were betrayed by President Tinubu. The agreed minimum wage was intended to alleviate the effects of subsidy removal, but the new petrol prices have erased any potential benefits,” he said.
He highlighted the government’s strategy of using distractions and unfounded accusations to weaken union resolve.
“There is a tactic to distract us by alleging cybercrime and terrorism, which only allows the fuel price issue to persist,” Ajaero noted.
Recalling his discussions with President Tinubu during negotiations, Ajaero described the intense pressure labor leaders faced.
“The President gave us an ultimatum to accept a deal that would raise the minimum wage to N250,000 if we agreed to the fuel price hike. We rejected it, fully aware that it would worsen the economic situation for the country.”
Ajaero further criticized the government’s suggestion to compare fuel prices in neighboring West African countries, where petrol reportedly sells for N1,700.
“The President wanted us to consider prices in countries like Cameroon, but we made it clear that the real issue lies in unchecked smuggling at our borders,” he said.
In conclusion, Ajaero stressed the ongoing struggles faced by the labour movement, particularly against private sector employers who continue to resist the N70,000 minimum wage.
The National Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s offer to sponsor a tour of West African countries to study their fuel prices, suggesting the proposal could be seen as an attempt to sway the union rather than a genuine effort to solve Nigeria’s fuel crisis.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero revealed this at a recent workshop in Lagos, where he criticized the government’s focus on foreign comparisons instead of addressing domestic fuel challenges.
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Tinubu had proposed the trip to show that fuel prices in neighboring countries, such as Cameroon, where prices are as high as N2,000 per liter, are significantly higher than in Nigeria.
However, Ajaero stressed that the government should prioritize tackling fuel smuggling across Nigeria’s borders, which he sees as a major factor driving the fuel price hike.
“Mr. President also offered to sponsor our trip to some West African countries, where the lowest petrol price is N1,700. He said in Cameroon, petrol is sold for N2,000, and none of these countries have refineries—they source their products from Nigeria,”Ajaero said.
The NLC President argued that securing Nigeria’s borders against fuel smuggling should be the government’s main focus, rather than funding international trips.
“We told him to secure the borders because that’s the reason those products are being smuggled. We declined the offer, knowing Nigerians would accuse us of being bribed, rather than understanding it was just for a tour to those West African states.” he added.
The union has remained firm in its stance that the government must take urgent steps to address the impact of rising fuel prices on Nigerian workers, who are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis.
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