The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the labour movement as the most patriotic organisation in the country, promising that the union won’t compromise its patriotism no matter the challenge it faces.
Ajaero said this while addressing a crowd of labour members who gathered at the NLC headquarters to welcome him after honouring an invitation by the police on Thursday.
“The labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan Nigeria organisations, our patriotism from the days of colonial government to even the period of the military is unshakable,” Ajaero said.
“We are more patriotic than any other institution you can think of in this country and we are going to continue to be that. We have gone there and we are back, I just want to confirm to you that as a citizen we have gone there and we are back here.”
Salient Times reports that the NLC leader was invited to answer questions on alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
He described the police invitation as one of the hazards of being a labour leader, recalling how even at unit level he went to cell under late former head of state General Sani Abacha in the 90s.
Ajaero said the most important thing at the moment is that he is back to continue the struggle of demanding better welfare for the Nigerian workers, saying “we will not listen to any distraction”.
He thanked the NLC members gathered at the headquarters and others across the country for the level of solidarity they have given to him.
Ajaero left the headquarters of the police Intelligence Response Team at about 11:15am after writing his statement.
His invitation by the police last week had attracted a lot of reactions, with the labour accusing the police of harassment.
In an emergency meeting it convened after the invitation, the NLC National Executive Council described the allegations against Ajaero as trumped-up and politically motivated to silence organised labour.
Global humanitarian organisation, Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the police invitation of the labour leader.
It said the allegations of terrorism financing by the Nigerian authorities against Ajaero is an attempt to intimidate the unionists.
