In a dramatic turn of events, the President of the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has been released on bail after his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).
A senior DSS official confirmed the release stating ‘ The NLC President has been released on administrative bail and is on his way out’.
Ajaero’s release comes amid growing outrage from the NLV and its affiliates, with the Labour Union Condemning his arrest as unlawful and politically motivated. His detention was also confirmed by the African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential Candidate, Who Shared the Development on social media platform X. Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport in Abuja while enroute to the United Kingdom for a conference on worker’s rights and social justice.
His sudden detention by the DSS sparked an immediate reaction from the NLC, which issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government: Release Ajaero by Midnight, or face ‘severe consequences’.
In a communique released after an emergency meeting of the NLC National Administrative Council (NAC), the union described the arrest as ‘brazen and illegal’ warning that it signified an attack on the Labour movement and worker’s rights in Nigeria.
‘The Arrest and Detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero at the airport while he was on his way to represent Nigerian workers at an international forum is nothing short of an affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles’ the communique stated.
As the union continues to demand the immediate reversal of the recent petrol price hike and the full implementation of the new national minimum wage. Meanwhile the NLC has placed all its affiliates,state councils, civil society groups and the Nigerian public on high alert. The Labour body also scheduled an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) for 9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 10th, to determine the next course if action.
The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest and express themselves freely.
In its communique, the NLC called on the government to immediately reverse what it described as a dangerous slide into ‘ authoritarianism and lawlessness’ that threatens Nigeria’s Democrat fabric, it also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and vowed to continue defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens.
The outcome of the NL’s NEC Meeting, and the potential for nationwide industrial action, could define the next steps in what is rapidly becoming a critical showdown between labour and the Federal Government.
According to reports, Ajaero’s release was facilitated From.Femi Falana Chambers.
Ajaero’s detention by the DSS had sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from labour activists and civil society groups.
Ayobo/IpajaTV.com 