Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the invitation of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force.
Obi said: “The anxiety generated by Nigeria Police’s invitation to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Joe Ajaero, for an interview should not be unexpected, given the critical position he holds as leader of the nation’s workforce. The NLC is an interlocutor of the Federal Government on various labour disputes and other national interest issues.”
Obi urged that due process be observed, stressing that the allegations against Ajaero were serious. He wondered if the charges against him were in relation to his personal conduct or his responsibilities as NLC leader.
He said, “Extreme caution must thus be exercised in the manner this issue is handled. It is not unexpected that government will try autocratic methods to view labour as a potential opposition force.”
The former governor further called on the authorities to adhere strictly to the rule of law and evidence-based procedures in handling the matter.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers put all its members nationwide on red alert, asking them to be ready for action should the Police arrest Ajaero.
In a circular to all its branches and members, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, stated: “The leadership of our great union finds the invasion of the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by some security agencies and the recent allegations levelled against Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigeria Police Force very intriguing and deeply concerning. As a very committed and strong affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we cannot but express our strongest reservations over these unwholesome developments and situations.”
