The Department of State Services has granted administrative bail to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.<\/p>\n
He was released a few minutes before the 12midnight ultimatum issued by the organised labour.<\/p>\n
Pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, announced his release in a tweet on Monday night.<\/p>\n
The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Social Democratic Party on Monday criticised President Bola Tinubu\u2019s administration following the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project\u2019s Abuja office by the Department of State Services.<\/p>\n
Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.<\/p>\n
In response to its president\u2019s arrest, the NLC held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaero\u2019s immediate release and instructing all chapters to prepare for a potential nationwide strike.<\/p>\n
The NLC\u2019s National Administrative Council in a statement issued after its meeting by Adeyanju Adewale, NLC\u2019s deputy president, described the detention as \u201cbrazen and illegal\u201d and an \u201caffront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.\u201d<\/p>\n
The council demanded Ajaero\u2019s release by midnight on Monday and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike to N617\/Litre.<\/p>\n
The NLC disclosed that it had placed its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on red alert, warning that it would not stand by while workers\u2019 rights were trampled upon.<\/p>\n
The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers\u2019 rights and opposing oppression, urging the government to reverse its \u201cdangerous trend\u201d and implement the new National Minimum Wage.<\/p>\n
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The communiqu\u00e9 read, \u201cThe National Administrative Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cComrade 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 of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers\u2019 rights and social justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 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 offence warranting such action.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 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\u2019s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617\/litre.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking earlier, Benson Upah, Head of Public Relations for the NLC,\u00a0 stated that Ajaero was taken by state agents without a legal warrant or formal documentation, adding that his current location and health status remained unknown.<\/p>\n
Reacting to the development,\u00a0 the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called for caution, stating that Nigeria has now entered a full-blown dictatorship under President Tinubu.<\/p>\n
Ologunagba urged the Federal Government to tackle the underlying issues like hunger, rather than targeting individuals who didn\u2019t support their policies.<\/p>\n
He stated \u201cThere is a need for caution. There was a protest in this country, and the government did nothing. You arrest some people, label them terrorists, and charge them in court. You claim some individuals are sponsors of the protest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know who sponsored the protest: it is hunger. The President and his administration should address hunger, and there will be no problem. Let your draconian policies that bring people to their knees be re-evaluated. With school resuming, we understand the struggles of those with pupils in school.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wake up one morning unable to plan because the government is so insensitive and irresponsible, implementing policies that destroy people\u2019s plans and their pursuit of happiness without consulting the National Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy does the government exist? For the welfare and security of the people. Currently, there is no welfare or security. This is breaking news. We need to see and understand what is happening. The government should address the country\u2019s welfare challenges to prevent protests.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PDP Publicity Secretary expressed discontent with President Tinubu for focusing primarily on his comfort.<\/p>\n
Ologunagba added, \u201cNobody cares who the president is if the government provides the opportunity to pursue our goals and aspirations. As a party, we will investigate this breaking news and respond accordingly. If the government is about welfare and the people are suffering, it is reasonable to review these policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must show leadership by saying, \u2018Okay, you are telling me to tighten my belt while you are buying a new belt.\u2019 This is a country that cannot pay N70,000 minimum wage but can purchase an N150 plane. The President seems to be testing it, flying everywhere. This is a country where N21bn was spent to renovate the Vice President\u2019s house, yet according to them, there is no money.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, remarked that Tinubu\u2019s administration was sliding into \u2018\u2019a hotbed of corruption and tyranny.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
He stated, \u201cTinubu\u2019s administration is not sliding into authoritarianism, we are already in a full-blown dictatorship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe APC and indeed the Tinubu-led government have finally degenerated into a cesspool of corrupt and tyrannical monsters. The contraption is no longer pretentious about its anti-democratic posture, a development we are not surprised about because of the background and disposition of the elements.\u201d<\/p>\n
The National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, described Ajaero\u2019s arrest as shocking.<\/p>\n
Johnson, however, disclosed that the Tinubu administration must urgently explain why the Labour leader was whisked away to douse the tension.<\/p>\n