NLC Threatens Nationwide Shutdown Over Detention Threat to President Joe Ajaero
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the federal government, threatening to shut down the country if its President, Joe Ajaero, is detained by the police. The threat was made on Thursday at the Labour House in Abuja, where leaders of various affiliate unions gathered in solidarity with Ajaero.
The police had summoned Ajaero in connection with allegations of terrorism financing, subversion, and cybercrime following the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place between August 1 and 10, 2024. Despite these serious accusations, the NLC President, accompanied by his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), complied with the police invitation, heading to the office of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the former SARS facility in Guzape, Abuja.
Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, along with other senior officials of the labour union, also joined Ajaero. Several unions, including the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the National Union of Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE), and the Radio, Television, and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), were represented in the show of support.
Speaking to union members, NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja criticized the government for what he described as chasing shadows. He mockingly remarked that Ajaero was never on the run, dismissing any notion that the labour leader was evading law enforcement.
The convoy departed from the NLC Headquarters around 10:00 am, with union leaders and members poised to take further action depending on the outcome of Ajaero’s interaction with the authorities. The situation remains tense as the organised labour stands firm against what it perceives as an attempt to silence its leadership.