- Joe Ajaero visited the police headquarters to respond to allegations made against him on terrorism financing and treason
- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had warned of a nationwide strike if Ajaero was detained by the police
- Ajaero emphasised that the NLC would not be intimidated but continue its fight for workers' rights
Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, said that the union would remain steadfast despite external pressures after he visited the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja.
Ajaero arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, and departed shortly from the IRT headquarters situated at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja.
Ajaero declares NLC will not be intimidated
Speaking to reporters at the Labour House following his departure from the police headquarters, Ajaero stated that the NLC is unwavering in its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and will not be intimidated.
“We can’t be intimidated. The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide,” Ajaero stated.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero further said, “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.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” Ajaero stated.
Union will continue to champion workers’s interests, Ajaero
He further clarified that his appearance before the police was to promote transparency and dispel the false allegations directed at him and the NLC.
He remarked that the union will continue to champion workers' interests and stand strong against any difficulties.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he added. “We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
Falana, others follow Ajaero to answer police call
Ajaero was accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Deji Adeyanju, Marshal Abubakar, and other senior officials from the NLC to respond to the police invitation.
Recall that the police had previously summoned Ajaero to the IRT headquarters on August 20 at 10 AM to answer questions about his alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Subsequently, the NLC instructed all its member unions to start a nationwide strike if the Nigeria Police Force detained Joe Ajaero, its president when he complied with their summons.
Joe Ajaero was, however, seen exiting the headquarters of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) after completing his statement.
Atiku, Obi, others react over raid of Labour headquarters
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) raided and removed some documents from its headquarters in Abuja.
The alleged invasion prompted reactions from some statesmen, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, Amnesty International, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).