PRESS RELEASE
9TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2024
COMRADE JOE AJAERO: PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR
CONGRESS (NLC) HAS BEEN DETAINED BY THE NIGERIAN
GOVERNMENT
This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade
Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while
on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union
Congress (TUC) of Britain. Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the
global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of
the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical
discussions on workers' rights, social justice, and economic fairness are
discussed. We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as
all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without
any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His
detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has
not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. His detention is a
brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our
nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from
travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic
and natural rights as a people and as workers.
This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being
perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to
silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic
policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental
suffering and hardship. Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral
as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and
organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State
Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of
alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and
members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and
unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights
organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave
of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults
on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers' rights
and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state. Once again, we
demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and
the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the
Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting
opinions. We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in
various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to
protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.
Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose
outcome will be made available to the public.
Benson Upah
Head of Information and Public Affairs
AN URGENT NEED TO END BIGOTRY AND HATE IN NIGERIA!
The comments, threats and the hate outburst of Amaka Sonnberger, and her supporters are completely shameful, despicable and disgraceful. Her behavior and hateful comments which are similar to others chanting anti-Igbos and promoting violence against Igbos or any other tribe are disgraceful and should be condemned by all right thinking people.
The hateful comments and threats against any ethnic group has not reduced the prices of food in the market. It has not reduced the high cost of living. It has not guaranteed the safety of any tribe.
All tribes are in the same WhatsApp group of hopelessness, poverty, insecurity and unemployment and uncertainty in almost all areas. No tribe in Nigeria can claim to be enjoying any special benefits from the current Government.
What this means is that, all the tribes in Nigeria have a common enemy-bad and incompetent government.
Instead of promoting unnecessary hate and violence against any ethnic group, Nigerians should come together and fight the common interest and ensure a country well governed, where equality, justice and dignity reign.
There is urgent need to end bigotry and hateful rhetoric. The cost of living is high and no tribe has had it better than others.
FAKE ZAMFARA MEMO, A MATAWALLE’S POOR ATTEMPT TO LINK ME AND OTHERS WITH TERRORISM, BANDITRY
My attention has been drawn to a memo flying around purportedly signed by one Abubakar Nakwada, Secretary to the Zamfara state Government titled “Re North Western UN-Organized Security Summit In Katsina” where I was listed amongst 11 others to receive N1,378,000.00 (N1.3billion) as “Media Promoter” and “Bandits Kingpin.” The memo has been discredited and disowned by the Zamfara State Government who described it as fake.
That poorly packaged piece of rubbish is the handiwork of the illiterate Minister of State, Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, who is struggling to link me and his other perceived enemies with terrorism and banditry.
Matawalle thinks he is dealing with one road side Journalist. I see his footprints on a daily basis. I have him on my monitor!
The genesis of the whole stupidity from the unschooled Matawalle who parades fake academic credentials, is that after his arrest of Bashir Hadejia whom he has struggled to link with terrorism, banditry and a sponsor of the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protests, the former Zamfara Governor turned Minister of state, has been shopping for elements to criminalize myself and others he sees as enemy.
My lawyers in Nigeria and in the United States have been briefed. A petition will also be sent to the U.S State Department and the Department of Justice on the activities of Matawalle and his attempts to link me with terrorism and banditry using cooked up charges.
An easy going man, newly wedded, who has never broken the law, a distinguished person in the person of @Mallam_jabeer honored an invitation and he is been detained like a common criminal??? @ChidiOdinkalu@jibrinSAN what type of country are we in please? #freemallamjabeer
I pray PO does not run in 2027. Make Una go Find that Hardcore Gangster that will snatch Power by Force like APC did. 🙄Nigerians once had a Gentleman President in Goodluck Jonathan but didn’t appreciate Him. Una go wander the wilderness for 40 yrs for this Foolishness. 😮💨✌🏾
You are doing a protest to say No To Protest.
Why didn't they stay at home and pray?
Just as selfish and irresponsible Governors have been telling citizens to pray and not protest
Just got a call that DSS/SSS or whatever they call themselves have detained @Mallam_jabeer after inviting him to their office
The AUDACITY!!
How do you invite someone and then detain him?
What’s his crime???
Released him NOW!!
#FreeMallamJabeerNOW!!
Mallam Jabir honored the DSS invitation & he was detained. His Right has been infringed
The Right to Protest is guaranteed by the Constitution. The SSS has become very reckless & lawless under Tinubu who enjoyed the freedom to protest however he liked
Release @Mallam_jabeer NOW
I just got a call from @Mallam_jabeer that he has been detained by the DSS. This young man is Peaceful & has been law abiding over his protest arrangements. Arresting him before August 1 makes no Sense. Efforts are being made to get him released. Nigeria we Hail Thee. 😡😤🇳🇬
#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: After a long conversation with the @PoliceNG, we couldn’t reach any agreement but I will brief the public about the conversation later in the day. I am now on my way to meet the @OfficialDSSNG.
Let’s stay in touch. 🔔