The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has been released from custody on bail.
The development was confirmed by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress party in a post on social media platform X.
It can be recalled that Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom to attend a conference on workers’ rights and social justice.
Reacting to the arrest, the NLC gave the Federal Government an ultimatum to release Ajaero unconditionally by Monday midnight or face severe consequences.
The NLC in a communiqué issued at the end of its National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on Monday described Ajaero’s arrest and detention as “brazen and illegal”.
The communique said, “The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government. Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification. The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense warranting such action. His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labour movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/Litre. State of Alert: The Congress places all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.
“The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.
“The NLC reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens. The Congress will not relent in its efforts to oppose all forms of oppression. NAC – in – session therefore summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, the 10th day of September, 2024 to take compelling action to engage the current forces of retrogression.
“The NAC urges the Nigerian Government to reverse this dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness, which threatens the country’s democratic fabric. NAC in session demands the immediate implementation of the New National Minimum Wage which has been signed into Law. The Nigeria Labour Congress will not waver in its duty to protect the rights of workers and the freedom of all Nigerians.”
