Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) today Tuesday have threatened a nationwide strike over police pinning allegations of terrorism, cybercrime and treason against its President, Joe Ajaero.
NlC issued the warning in a communique released after the meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) today in which they concluded that the police’s allegations against Ajaero was “clearly unfounded and politically motivated.”
The resolution followed the deliberations on a letter of invitation issued Monday by the police to Ajaero, over alleged terrorism funding and treasonable felony amongst others.
However, NLC agreed to honor the invitation.
The communique said; “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the recent developments surrounding the invitation of the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force.
“This invitation is premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime. subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
“The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“We Shall Honour the Invitation: As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension Of time given the nature of the invitation.
“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State; NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on Indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Midnight today,
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defense of our shared democratic values.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us.
“We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country.”
