Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its national officers and affiliate unions to accompany Joe Ajaero, its president, to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) headquarters today.
Emmanuel Ugboaja, general secretary of NLC, who said this in a letter addressed to all affiliates and state councils in Abuja, yesterday, also asked all its members nationwide to embark on a peaceful prayer procession.
The letter is entitled: “Mobilisation for Peaceful Procession and Prayer Session in Solidarity”, Ugboaja urged them to embark on a peaceful procession to their state police headquarters, where they will hold a prayer session until the president’s interaction with the police is concluded.
The police had invited Ajaero for interrogation on charges related to alleged “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.”
The NLC was asked to appear before the force intelligence response team (IRT) on August 20. But Ajaero declined the invitation, demanding details of the allegations levelled against him.
In a letter through Samuel Ogala, principal partner at the Falana and Falana’s Chambers, Ajaero said he would be available for questioning on Wednesday, August 29.
Ugboaja said the procession was in response to the recent invitation by the police to Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges in August.
“We call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilise their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.
“All Central Working Committee members resident in Abuja and other members, are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the NLC by 8:00 am on August 29. “This is to accompany the president to the police for the scheduled interaction,”he said.
He said those in the state capitals should gather at their respective state secretariats of congress.
“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers.
“We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session.
“If for any reason, the president is detained; all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike.
“Your unwavering support and solidarity, at this critical time, are crucial to defending civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.
“Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.
“In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the national headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8am tomorrow to accompany the president to the police for the scheduled interaction. “In state capitals: Members should gather at their respective state secretariats of congress. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their state police headquarters, where they will hold a prayer session until the president’s interaction with the police is concluded.
“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session. If for any reason, the president is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike.
“Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.
“Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation,” he said in the circular.