- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday said it will not hesitate to call out Nigerians for mass action including nationwide strike over the allegations of terrorism, cybercrime and treason against its President, Joe Ajaero.
This was contained in a Communique issued by NLC’s National Executive Council today.
Having confirmed the letter of invitation issued yesterday by the Force to its President over alleged terrorism funding and treasonable felony amongst others, the union’s National Executive Council held an emergency meeting to deliberate on the development surrounding the invitation.
NLC agreed to honor the invitation while describing the allegations against Ajaero as ‘clearly unfounded and politically motivated’.
They, however, stressed that their decision to honor the invitation does not imply acceptance of the allegations laid against Ajaero.
The communique read in part; “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the recent developments surrounding the invitation of the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force.
“This invitation is premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime. subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
“The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“We Shall Honour the Invitation: As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension Of time given the nature of the invitation.
“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State; NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on Indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Midnight today,
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defense of our shared democratic values.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us.
“We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country.” NLC wrote.