By Tom Zaneni, Abuja
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has stated that the organised labour will not be intimidated by the police and other external forces in the country.
Ajaero made the declaration in an interview with journalists at the Labour House, Abuja, after he returned from the Intelligence Response Team office at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters Abuja where he was interrogated for about one hour.
He was invited by the police to respond to allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy and treasonable felony.
Ajaero had arrived at the IRT base at 10:20am on Thursday morning and left the police headquarters at 11:18am after being quizzed by officers.
The NLC leader was accompanied by fiery human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, activists Deji Adeyanju and Maxwell Okpara and other senior NLC officials.
He told journalists that the NLC was resolutely committed to defending the rights of Nigerian workers, stressing that the allegations against him and the union are unfounded.
Ajaero vowed that the organised labour would not be cowed by any form of intimidation and repression.
“We can’t be intimidated. The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide”, he said.
He recalled that labour activism in Nigeria had been faced with challenges and hazards such as the types wrought by the police.
Ajaero said, “Even at the unit level some of us experienced it. As far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha.
“But whatever the case is, we are out to continue the struggle. We have gotten minimum wage, but we can’t be intimidated. We have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it.”
According to him, his appearance before the police was in the interest of transparency and to clear the air on the baseless accusations levelled against him and the NLC.
He said the union would not relent in the fight for the improvement of workers’ welfare, and would continue to stand firm in the face of challenges.
He maintained that the allegations and claims of the police all amounted to a design to weaken the labour movement, adding that the organised labour’s resolve was stronger than ever before.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever. We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles”, Ajaero said.
The Network recalls that the NLC President was invited by the police to appear before it on August 20, 2024 but he and the NLC stakeholders, including Falana, replied that he would not be able to show up on the said date due to already lined-up schedules.
They, however, said that Ajaero would report at the police headquarters on August 29.
