NIGERIA’s foremost trade union centre, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), seemed to have transformed into a prayer centre as it issued a circular on Wednesday ordering its affiliates and state councils to embark on a peaceful procession and prayer session on Thursday, August 29, 2024 (tomorrow).
The circular is sequel to Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President’s appointment to honour the invitation by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Department of Force Intelligence over alleged “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
National Record had reported that the police said the allegations were in connection with the August hunger protests.
Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of NLC, who signed the circular addressed to NLC’s 45 affiliate trade union organisations and state councils, including the FCT, declared that the peaceful procession and prayer session were “In response to the recent summons by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024”.
Ugboaju ordered affiliates and state councils to “mobilise their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.”
The memo, dated August 27, 2024 and entitled: “Mobilization for Peaceful Procession and Prayer Session in Solidarity,” declares:
“In response to the recent summons by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024, we call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.
“In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8:00 AM on Thursday, August 29, 2024, to accompany the President to the Police for the scheduled interaction.
“Details for Participation
“In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8:00 AM on Thursday, August 29, 2024 to accompany the President to the Police for the scheduled interaction.
“In State Capitals: Members should gather at their respective state secretariats of Congress. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their State Police Headquarters, where they will hold a prayer session until the President’s interaction with the Police is concluded.
“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session. If for any reason, the President is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike.
It further noted that if the NLC President was detained all workers shall proceed on indefinite strike action.
“Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending Civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement. Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.”
