Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday, threatened the Federal Government to release its President, Joe Ajaero, before midnight or risk nationwide strike.
Ajaero was arrested in the early hours of the day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while on his way to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) meeting.
While demanding Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release before midnight, the Congress described his detention as “brazen, illegal and an affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles”.
NLC’s National Administrative Council, in a communique by the Congress’ Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale, demanded Ajaero’s release by midnight and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike.
It also placed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies on the red alert, warning that it will not stand by while workers’ rights are trampled upon.
The council has summoned an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) to take further action against the government’s “authoritarianism and lawlessness”.
It reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and opposing oppression, urging the government to reverse its ‘dangerous trend’ and implement the new National Minimum Wage.
The communique reads: “The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.
“The council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian state without any legal warrant or justification”.