By Mario Deepromoter king
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has accused the Nigerian government of planting Andrew Wynne, a wanted British national, at the headquarters of the labour movement in Abuja, also known as Labour House.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Ajaero expressed concerns about what he described as a concerted effort by the government to silence opposition, particularly those challenging its economic policies.
The labour leader suggested that his arrest earlier this year was part of a broader scheme to stifle dissent, added that he would still be in detention had it not been for his leadership position within the NLC.
The accusation comes after the Nigeria Police Force declared Wynne—also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey—wanted for allegedly conspiring to destabilize the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Wynne, a British national, is reported to have been involved in activities perceived as a threat to national security, according to police authorities.
“The government is bent on suppressing every voice of resistance, especially those speaking out against its neo-liberal agenda,” Ajaero stated.
He further questioned why the wanted Briton was allegedly allowed access to the NLC secretariat, raising suspicions of government complicity in undermining the labour movement.
The Force announced that it has initiated a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of foreign mercenaries and what it terms subversive elements in a plot to overthrow Nigeria’s democratically elected government.
Days later, operatives from the Department of State Services detained Ajaero while he was en route to a conference in the United Kingdom. He was released after several hours of public outcry.
During the 2024 ASUU State of the Nation Conference in Abuja, themed “Nigeria in a State of General Crisis: The Search for a New Path to Development,” Ajaero called on the federal government to clarify how the British national entered Nigeria.
This marks the first time Ajaero has publicly addressed the issue since his release from custody.
The NLC President explained that he had chosen to remain silent for some time, anticipating that the government would reveal the true events surrounding his detention.