The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, says the union has nothing to hide, and as such, would not be intimidated by external pressures including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Ajaero said this while speaking to newsmen upon his arrival from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
The police had summoned the NLC boss over alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Ajaero said the NLC was more committed to Nigeria than any other institution in the country, adding that the labour movement has been one of the most steadfast supporters of the nation, demonstrating unwavering patriotism from the colonial era through the military regimes.
While noting that his appearance before the police was in the interest of transparency and to clear the air on the accusations levelled against him and the NLC, Ajaero stressed that the union remains committed to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and would not be cowed by any form of intimidation.
He said: “We can’t be intimidated. The allegations against us are baseless and we have nothing to hide.
“The labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest and Nigerian organisations. Our patriotism from the days of colonial government to even the period of the military is unshakeable. As citizens, we have gone there and we are back.
Terrorism financing: Ajaero’ll honour police invite, says NLC
“You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard. Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it, as far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha but whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle, we’ve gotten minimum wage but we can’t be intimidated, we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Whatever the case we are out to continue the struggle we have gotten minimum wage but it has not been implemented so we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian worker to be worthwhile, we will be involved in it. We will not listen to any distraction.”
Also speaking, Falana said Ajaero was “innocent of the heinous allegations levelled against him by the police”.
On his part, the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, stated: “Ajaero is a leader, not a terrorist. Where would he get the money to sponsor or finance terrorism? Is it workers’ money?
“It’s unfortunate that the government has chosen to go down this path. Perhaps they want to distract us with these baseless allegations so that we won’t focus on the issues affecting workers and the Nigerian people.”
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