The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned against the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
This warning comes after the police invited the labor leader, slapping charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
According to the human rights group, the invite and any arrest are politically motivated.
HURIWA said this was a “blatant attempt by the government to suppress dissent and intimidate the labor movement, which has consistently spoken out against anti-people policies.”
In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko on Tuesday, HURIWA expressed deep concern over the erosion of democratic principles under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He said the government “is swiftly turning Nigeria into a full-blown dictatorship, a police state, and a banana republic marked by lawlessness, impunity, corruption, and organized chaos.
“This pattern of repression is not only undemocratic but also threatens Nigeria’s survival as a sovereign nation founded on justice and equity.”
Ajaero through his lawyers Falana and Falana Chambers wrote formally to inform the police why he could not honor an invitation by the police yesterday.
However, in light of the budding face-off between the labour union and the Nigeria Police, NLC asked its members to be ready to commence a nationwide strike if need be.
Likewise, Amnesty International (AI), Nigeria, accused the federal government of trying to undermine and intimidate NLC and its leadership with allegations of terrorism financing.
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) also expressed concern over what it called escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria.
