NLC threatens to go on strike if Ajaero is arrested

The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the police proceeds with detaining its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

The threat was made on Tuesday morning, August 20, at the NLC headquarters following an urgent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The meeting was convened hours after the Nigeria Police invited Comrade Ajaero for questioning in connection with allegations of terrorism financing.

During the meeting, the NEC agreed that Ajaero should comply with the police invitation. However, they instructed their legal adviser to request an extension for Ajaero to appear before the authorities, allowing additional time for preparation.

Comrade Ado Kabiru Sani, the Deputy President of the NLC, urged the nation’s workforce to remain prepared for further instructions. He emphasised that if the police take actions contrary to their expectations, such as detaining Ajaero, the union would consider mobilizing a nationwide strike in response.

“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.”Sani said.