Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, expressed concern over the Nigerian Police Force’s invitation of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero has been summoned for questioning regarding allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
In response, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has placed its members nationwide on high alert, threatening a strike if Ajaero is arrested by the police.
The Intelligence Response Team, IRT, of the Nigerian Police Force had invited Ajaero for questioning on August 19, with a deadline of August 20 to appear at the IRT office or face arrest.
The NLC, through its lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, informed the Inspector General of Police that Ajaero could not attend the August 20 meeting. Falana assured that Ajaero would comply with the invitation on August 29 and requested detailed information on the allegations.
Obi, reacting via X, highlighted the importance of the situation due to Ajaero’s pivotal role as the leader of the nation’s workforce.
He said: “The anxiety generated by Nigeria Police’s invitation to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, for an interview should not be unexpected, given the critical position he holds as leader of the nation’s workforce.
”The NLC is an interlocutor of the Federal Government on various labour disputes and other national interest issues.”
Obi urged that due process be observed, stressing that the allegations against Ajaero wereserious, wondering if the charges against him were in relation to his personal conduct or his responsibilities as NLC leader.
“Extreme caution must thus be exercised in the manner this issue is handled. It is not unexpected that government will try autocratic methods to view labour as a potential opposition force,” he said.
The former governor further called on the authorities to adhere strictly to the rule of law and evidence-based procedures in handling the matter.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has put all its members nationwide on red alert, asking them to be ready for action should the Police arrest the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero.
In a circular to all its branches and members, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union stated: “The leadership of our great union finds the invasion of the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by some security agencies and the recent allegations levelled against Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigeria Police Force very intriguing and deeply concerning.
“As a very committed and strong affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we cannot but express our strongest reservations over these unwholesome developments and situations.
(allnews.ng)
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