Tension As NLC President, Ajaero Honours Police Summon

Tension is running high in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and other states across Nigeria as Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, is set to respond to a police summons today, Thursday.

The development comes as the NLC revealed its plan to embark on a nationwide solidarity action on the heels of Nigeria police’s invitation of Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing.

The details of the action are contained in a notice by NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja on Wednesday.

NLC directed its affiliate and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and nationwide to show solidarity.

“In response to the recent summons by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024, we call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.

“Details for Participation: 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 on Thursday, August 29, 2024, to accompany the President to the police for the scheduled interaction,” the circular partly reads.

Recall that the police had earlier summoned Ajaero to appear before it on 20 August, 2024 over alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

However, Ajaero through his lawyer, Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, later wrote to the police, asking that the meeting be shifted to August 29 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.