By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, National Union of Railway Workers, and other affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress have also issued notices to embark on a nationwide strike if the Nigerian Police Force eventually detains NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
On Tuesday, the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Nigerian police eventually detain its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Naija News House had reported that Ajaero was summoned by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
The invitation, detailed in an official letter, requires Ajaero to appear for an interview on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at the IRT Complex in Guzape District, Abuja.
According to the letter, the investigation has identified Ajaero as a person of interest in the case.
Among unions that had already backed the NLC’s planned actions are the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE; Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT; and National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN.
Others include 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; National Union of Railway Workers, NUR; Nigeria Civil Service Union, NCSU; and National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees, NUPTE.
MWUN in a circular to its local leaders in all port formations in Lagos, Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt, said its members would comply with the strike directive.
Deputy Secretary-General of the union, Oniha Erazua, said the directive for indefinite nationwide strike was also extended to terminals, jetties, dry ports and oil export terminals.
The notice read: “The decision follows an emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the NLC held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in response to what the Congress describes as a ‘persistent orchestrated attack’ on the labour movement by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
“As an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, we are in compliance and have consequently directed all our members to commence the mobilization of our members to effectively ensure their participation in the nationwide indefinite strike and be on red alert.
“The strike, set to begin at midnight, is a protest against the NPF’s investigation into NLC leadership, including charges of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, which the NLC has condemned as ‘clearly unfounded and politically motivated.’
MWUN’s leadership emphasized the urgency and importance of the strike, calling on all members to unite in solidarity with the NLC and the broader Nigerian working class.