NLC Warns of Nationwide Strike if President Ajaero is Arrested

 

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning, threatening a nationwide strike if its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, is arrested or detained by the Nigerian Police. This declaration was made following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the NLC headquarters on Tuesday morning.

Background of the Threat

The emergency meeting was convened to address the recent invitation of Comrade Ajaero by the Nigerian Police. The invitation is reportedly linked to allegations of terrorism financing, a serious charge that has raised concerns within the labor union. During the NEC meeting, the leadership of the NLC resolved that Ajaero would honor the police's invitation but emphasized that the union’s legal team should seek additional time for him to prepare for his appearance.

Union's Stance and Nationwide Mobilization

Comrade Ado Kabiru Sani, the Deputy President of the NLC, addressed the media following the NEC meeting. He stressed that while the NLC is a law-abiding organization, any attempt to arrest or detain Ajaero would be met with immediate and decisive action. Sani urged workers across the nation to be on high alert and ready to act, stating, "As a committed labor center, we will honor the invitation of the police because we are not a faceless organization, but we are working with our lawyer for an extension of time. In the event that the President is arrested, all workers will down tools immediately. We should wait for further directives from our leadership.”

Potential Impact and Further Developments

The NLC’s threat of a nationwide shutdown could have far-reaching consequences, potentially paralyzing key sectors of the economy. The labor union's readiness to mobilize its members for a nationwide strike underscores the seriousness of the situation. The next steps will likely depend on the outcome of the discussions between the NLC’s legal advisers and the police authorities.

As the situation unfolds, the NLC has advised all workers to remain on standby for further instructions. The possibility of a nationwide strike looms large, with the potential to disrupt economic activities and escalate tensions between the government and the labor union.

 

Stay tuned to Naija NewsHawk for ongoing coverage of this developing story, including any updates on the NLC’s actions and the response from the Nigerian Police.