NLC threatens indefinite nationwide strike tonight over ‘terrorism financing’ allegation against Ajaero

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will embark on a nationwide strike at midnight if any harm comes to its president Joe Ajaero.

Deputy President of the NLC, Ado Kabiru Sani, said this on Tuesday, in a communique issued after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

The NLC NEC meeting was called to discuss Ajaero’s invitation by the police over allegations bordering on “terrorism financing”.

NEC agreed that Ajaero should honour the police invitation and asked the nation’s workforce to be on standby for further directives should the police take it further.

“As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation,” the communique reads.

“However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimise the baseless allegations levelled against him.

“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilising their members across the nation.

“The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.

“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State, NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 midnight today.

“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment.

“The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defence of our shared democratic values.”