The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it would proceed on strike by 12 midnight today, if any thing should happen to its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero who was on Monday summoned by the police over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Arising from an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, NLC asked while insisting that the invitation by the police was politically motivated, advised the federal government to desist from witch hunting labour leaders in the country.
NLC in a communique issued at the end of the NEC meeting, asked for an extension of time to honour the invitation, following the time and manner in which it was handed down.
While emphasising that it’s honouring the invitation and request of extension if time does not in any way mean legitimise the allegations against its President, the NLC has asked its state councils and affiliate unions to begin mobilisation of members nationwide for possible actions of strike, protest.
The Communique fully reads: “The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the 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 people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves as follows:
“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. However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations levelled against him.
“The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other Labour leaders. We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.
“The NEC warns the state to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith. The Congress will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the State.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement. 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.”
