NLC In Enugu Joins Nationwide Peaceful Procession Over Ajaero’s Police Invitation

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Enugu State Chapter, Thursday, joined their counterparts across the country in a nationwide peaceful procession in support of the Congress’ President, Joe Ajaero, over police invitation.

Recall that Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of NLC, in a letter addressed to all affiliates and state councils on Wednesday in Abuja,entitled, “Mobilisation for Peaceful Procession and Prayer Session in Solidarity” instructed its state councils nationwide to mobilize members for a peaceful procession to state police commands, where prayer sessions will be held.

The Police authorities had invited Joe Ajaero, NLC President on August 20, 2024 for interrogation on charges related to alleged “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.”

However, Ajaero through his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, later wrote to the police, asking that the meeting be shifted to August 29 (today) as Ajaero was not available for August 20.

Recall that the invitation of Ajaero came in the wake of a night raid by the police on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.

The police had said it raided a section of the NLC headquarters to uncover seditious materials in connection with the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Police said they are our friends, Police, are you still our friends or foes?” “Police allow Nigerian workers to breathe,” “Nigerian Police should be an enviable institution not a political tool,”
“Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC president and workers of Nigeria are law abiding, police allow us to be,” “Police harassment of the NLC leadership ‘Must Stop Now,” and “Police Alleged Terrorism financing by the NLC president is frivolous.”

Speaking with newsmen at Enugu Police Command, the State chairman of NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, said Comrade Jeo Ajaero is not a criminal, neither a terrorist, rather pursuing the general interest of the Nigerian workers.

Responding, Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who addressed the protesters on behalf of the Police Commissioner, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said he was impressed by the way protesters conducted themselves peacefully and urged them to sustain it.

“The CP is glad with the peaceful conduct, I will present your demands to him, while he relates to the headquarters.” What we are doing is very transparent, I’ll encourage you to continue the exercise peacefully,” PPRO said.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress has since left the police office in Abuja after spending few minutes with officials.

He had arrived the Intelligence Response Team(IRT) command at Guzape as early as 10:20am in company of human rights lawyer Femi Falana.