As tensions rise, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to hold an emergency meeting today in response to what labour activists describe as “unacceptable intimidation” by the Nigeria Police Force.
This urgent gathering follows a new summons issued to NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja for questioning.
According to sources within the labour movement, today’s meeting is crucial as the NLC leadership plans to discuss how to respond to this latest development, which they view as an effort to undermine and intimidate the union’s leaders.
The police have summoned Ajaero and Ugboaja for further questioning in connection with allegations of criminal intimidation, disruption of public peace, and malicious damage to property. The interview is scheduled for September 5, 2024, with Deputy Inspector of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), CP Rufus Alajide, expected to lead the questioning.
Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information, expressed strong opposition to the police’s actions, describing them as a “clear case of witch-hunt and intimidation” orchestrated by state institutions. He emphasized that the Congress would not tolerate the use of state forces to suppress the labour movement.
“It should be understood that we are a responsible organization that always considers the nation’s and citizens’ well-being,” Upah stated. He went on to say, “The repeated invitations and the recent raid on the NLC office are clear indications of an orchestrated agenda by the state to harass and intimidate those holding dissenting views.”
Upah further criticized the timing of the invitation, noting, “This invitation, coming on the heels of the last one, clearly suggests a manifest intent by the state; it is so obvious. Those who were initially in doubt can now see that we never acted in breach of the law. The raid was a violation of our rights and an act of impunity intended to scare, harass, and intimidate.”
When asked whether the NLC leadership would attend the scheduled interview, Upah remarked, “The organs will decide if they will be available. Some programmes have already been fixed,” indicating that a decision would be made during the meeting.
