The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) made some fresh decisions during its emergency closed-door meeting following the arrest of its national president, Joe Ajaero, on Monday.
Naturenex recalls that Ajaero was arrested on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) as he was about travelling to the UK on an official assignment.
Following the arrest, the NLC summoned an emergency meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC) to discuss the arrest and chart a course of action.
At the end of the meeting, the NLC unequivocally condemned the arrest and detention of Ajaero by security operatives. It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its detained president before 12 midnight.
The labour union said the arrest was an attack against all Nigerian workers.
The NLC in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which was signed by its deputy president, Adeyanju Adewale, also placed all its afflaiates, state councils and Nigerians on a red alert.
It said the arrest of Ajaero is another attempt to delay the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The union also demanded the immediate reversal of the price of petrol to ₦617 per litre.
In mobilizing for further action, the NLC also summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), scheduled for tomorrow, 10th September, to discuss the situation and take fresh action.
The NLC warned the government to stop the dangerous trend of going after dissenting voices, adding that it would not waver in its duty to protect the rights of workers and the freedom of all Nigerians.
The resolution reached from the emergency meeting of the NLC following Joe Ajaero’s arrest are:
– The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.
– The NLC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to ₦617/Litre.
– The NLC places all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert.
– The NLC summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, the 10th day of September, 2024.
