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NLC stands firm against intimidation, Ajaero declares after police visit
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has affirmed that the union will not succumb to external pressures after his visit to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the Police headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Ajaero arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. on Thursday and departed shortly after 11:15 a.m., where he addressed allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Speaking to journalists at Labour House following his visit, Ajaero emphasized the NLC’s unwavering commitment to defending Nigerian workers’ rights and dismissed the allegations as baseless. “We can’t be intimidated,” he declared. “The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on the historical challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero noted, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard. Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it, as far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha… but whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle, we’ve gotten minimum wage but we can’t be intimidated, we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.”
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He assured that the NLC would remain actively involved in initiatives to improve workers’ welfare, asserting, “Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it.”
Ajaero described his appearance before the police as a measure of transparency to address the unfounded accusations. He reaffirmed the union’s determination to advocate for workers’ rights despite the allegations, which he believed are aimed at undermining the labor movement.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he said. “We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
Ajaero’s visit to the IRT headquarters followed a previous invitation on August 20, which he could not attend due to other engagements.
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