Several unions have issued strike notices, warning of a nationwide industrial action if the Nigerian Police Force forcefully arrests the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.
This development follows an earlier threat by the NLC leadership on Tuesday, announcing their readiness to mobilize for a nationwide strike if Ajaero, who has been summoned by the police, is detained.
The Nigeria Police Force had accused Ajaero of involvement in alleged “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
Among the unions that have pledged to support the NLC’s planned actions are the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), National Union of Railway Workers (NUR), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSAN), Fitters Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (FISSAN), Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE).
Some of the unions have already begun mobilizing its members in major port formations across Lagos, Warri, Calabar, and Port Harcourt.
In a circular addressed to its local leaders, the union directed its members to comply with the strike directive, stressing that the action was in response to what the NLC described as a “persistent orchestrated attack” on the labour movement by the Nigeria Police Force.
Meanwhile, Ajaero on Tuesday declined the invitation of the police.
In a letter signed by Samuel Ogala, principal partner at the Falana & Falana’s Chambers, Ajaero’s counsel said the NLC president was unable to honour the invitation on Tuesday because of other engagements.
The counsel said Ajaero would be available for questioning on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.
The Labour chief also demanded details of the allegations levelled against him.
