The Nigerian presidency has responded to the recent arrest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stating that he is not above the law and must comply with the summons issued by security agencies.
This statement comes after Ajaero was prevented from traveling abroad to attend a Labour conference in London due to his alleged refusal to honor an invitation from a law enforcement agency involved in an ongoing investigation.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reiterated that under the Nigerian Constitution, no individual is exempt from lawful investigation. “Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation,” Onanuga stated.
Onanuga also compared the situation to practices in other democratic countries, where trade union leaders are expected to comply with law enforcement agencies like MI5, Scotland Yard, or the FBI.
He clarified that the invitation extended to Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) was not related to his position as NLC President, and the presidency emphasized that Ajaero should honor the invitation and address any concerns through appropriate channels.
The government further criticized certain ideological stances of the Nigerian labour movement, which it claims have hindered economic development. It cited the labour unions’ opposition to the privatization of refineries in 2007, arguing that this decision has stunted economic growth and compromised the well-being of Nigerian workers.
The presidency reiterated its commitment to promoting the best economic interests of Nigerians and maintaining civil liberties under President Tinubu, describing him as a “pro-democracy activist president.”
