Terrorism financing: Abia NLC puts members on red alert over Ajaero’s invitation
…To down tools if police touch any labour leader
The leadership of the Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has put workers in the state on standby for immediate industrial action, should the Police, arrest NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, or any labour leader in the country.
The notice was contained in a circular jointly issued by the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya; and Secretary, Emma Alozie, and made available to Vanguard in Umuahia.
Recall that the Police had two days ago, invited Ajaero for questioning over alleged terrorism financing and treason.
There have been public outcry and global condemnation against the action of the police interpreted in quarters as a move to intimidate labour and critics into submission.
Police had in the midst of the recent nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance, raided Labour national secretariat in Abuja, and carted away documents.
Abia NLC said it would not issue any further notice about industrial action, but would on the midnight of any day Ajaero or any labour leader, “is arrested”, commence indefinite strike.
The notice read in part: “Consequent upon the invitation for interview issued to Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the management, all industrial unions and the workers of Abia Civil Service are by this notice informed as follows:
“That upon any ugly incidence of arrest of the NLC President or any other Labour Leader, sequel to this unjustified and untimely invitation, all workers are to down tools as from 12:00am (mid-night) of the same day.
“Whilst workers wait for further instructions and directives as to mode of engagement which could be strike, protest etc. this information is to serve as our official notice to all concerned.
“The State Government, security Agencies, all Civil Liberty Organizations, the general public, all media houses etc, should take note, even as the workers wait for the next line of action.
“All industrial unions, both in public and private sectors are directed to forward this notice to their units and branches and to commence sensitization and mobilization of their members for total compliance.”
