The Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, is scheduled to respond to the police’s summons regarding charges of treason and financing of terrorism today, Thursday, barring any last-minute alterations to his schedule. Ajaero has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated. He has vowed to cooperate fully with the authorities during the investigation.
The NLC Central Working Committee sent a circular on Wednesday, encouraging union members and affiliate associations to march on police head offices throughout the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in advance of today’s visit to the police headquarters in Abuja.
Ajaero was invited by the police last week to come to the Force headquarters by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, so that he could respond to inquiries about his purported role in financing terrorism, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony. The invitation was sent out after a police raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja during the night.
Police raided Ajaero’s office to find seditious materials related to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. The NLC National Executive Council denounced the action and accused Ajaero of political motives. The NLC NEC requested a postponement of Ajaero’s appearance, and NLC attorney Femi Falana requested the meeting be moved to August 29 as Ajaero would not be available on August 20. The NLC NEC’s decision was based on the police summons.
In the letter, Falana said that Ajaero had already scheduled other appointments when the invitation arrived and asked the police to provide him with the specifics of the accusations made against him.
In a letter dated Wednesday and signed by its general secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC instructed all of its affiliates and state councils to get together on Thursday for a prayer session and nonviolent march in support of Ajaero.
“We call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity in response to the recent summons by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024,” the circular stated.
“Information for Taking Part: In Abuja: On Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 8 a.m., all CWC members who live in Abuja as well as additional members are expected to gather at the Nigeria Labour Congress National Headquarters. The President will then be escorted to the police for the planned meeting.
“In State Capitals: Congressmen should convene at their individual state secretariats. After that, they’ll peacefully march to the state police headquarters and have a prayer meeting until the president has finished speaking with the police.
The march is a united protest against unjust actions aimed at intimidating leadership and stifling Nigerian workers’ voices. Members are urged to remain peaceful during the procession and prayer session, and if the President is detained, workers nationwide will proceed on an indefinite strike.
