- President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was ordered to present himself by the police or warrant arrest over allegations including criminal conspiracy, others
- NLC threatened a nationwide strike if Nigerian police arrest their President, Comrade Joe Ajaero
- Multiple key unions within the NLC issued notices to members, signalling an indefinite strike should Ajaero be detained
In response to the possibility of Ajaero's arrest, several key unions within the NLC sent notices to their members to declare an indefinite strike should Ajaero be detained.
According to a circular sent by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday, August 21, President Audu Amba and Acting Secretary-General Abdullahi Mohammed to its state branches, the union directed teachers across the country to go on indefinite strike if the police arrest Ajaero.
The notice read, “As you may be aware, the President of NLC was invited by the Nigeria Police Force on the premise of an unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
NUT directs branches to prepare for indefinite nationwide strike
“The Congress considers the act of harassment and intimidation as an attempt by the Police to stifle the voice of the working people as represented by the Leadership of Congress.
“Consequently, the NEC of the NLC met and resolved to, among other things, direct all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation as the Congress would not hesitate to take all necessary actions to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
“In the light of the above, the NUT hereby directs all state wings of the union to mobilize all teachers and be prepared to proceed on an indefinite nationwide strike if anything happens to the President or any other leader of the Congress.
“The NUT stands with the NLC in this struggle to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our nation. All state wings are, therefore, directed to be on alert as they await further directives.
MWUN denounces police investigation as an orchestrated attack
The MWUN also issued a circular to its local representatives in port areas including Lagos, Warri, Calabar, and Port Harcourt, confirming that its members would follow the strike order.
The directive for an indefinite nationwide strike, as noted by Oniha Erazua, Deputy Secretary-General of the union, also covers terminals, jetties, dry ports, and oil export terminals.
The notice read, “The decision follows an emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the NLC held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in response to what the Congress describes as a ‘persistent orchestrated attack’ on the labour movement by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
“As an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, we are in compliance and have consequently directed all our members to commence the mobilization of our members to effectively ensure their participation in the nationwide indefinite strike and be on red alert.
“The strike, set to begin at midnight, is a protest against the NPF’s investigation into NLC leadership, including charges of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, which the NLC has condemned as ‘clearly unfounded and politically motivated.’
MWUN’s leaders stressed the immediate necessity and significance of the strike, calling on every member to stand united with the NLC and the broader Nigerian labour movement.
“This decision is due to the clearly unfounded and politically motivated police investigation… labelled against the Congress President and the Nigeria working class.
“As the deadline for the strike approaches, MWUN has instructed its members to remain vigilant and fully prepared to participate in the industrial action, which is expected to significantly impact the maritime sector and related industries nationwide,’’ the union stated.
Electricity employers, railway workers, others issue strike notice
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and National Union of Textile, Garment, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) have also provided strike notices to their members.
Other unions that have also given strike notices are MWUN, the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSAN), the Fitters Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (FISSAN), the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), the National Union of Railway Workers (NUR), the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE).
Recall that after the police invitation for Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to address allegations including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime, the Union warned of a nationwide strike on Tuesday, August 20, if the Nigerian police should detain their President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
ITUC condemns attacks on Nigerian trade unions, calls for action
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) condemned the rising attacks on trade unions in Nigeria and voiced serious concern about the intimidation faced by labour leaders.
The union emphasised key incidents, including the police’s summons of NLC President Joe Ajaero, a raid on the NLC’s main office, and the deaths of 13 protesters.