NLC threatens nationwide shutdown

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stark warning that could bring the nation to a standstill: any attempt by the Nigeria Police to detain its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, over controversial allegations of terrorism financing will result in an immediate, nationwide strike.

This ultimatum follows an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday morning at the union’s headquarters, where top labor leaders rallied behind Ajaero amidst what they described as an unprecedented attack on the labor movement.

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The NEC unanimously resolved that Ajaero should comply with the police invitation, demonstrating the NLC’s respect for due process and its commitment to transparent leadership. However, the union’s legal adviser has been instructed to seek an extension, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the potential ramifications of the police’s actions.

In a powerful statement, Comrade Ado Kabiru Sani, the Deputy President of the NLC, called on the nation’s workforce to remain on high alert, ready to take drastic measures should the police overstep their bounds by detaining Ajaero.

“As a committed labor center, we will honor the invitation of the police because we are not a faceless organization, but we are working with our lawyer for an extension of time,” Sani declared. “In the event that the President is arrested, all workers will down tools immediately. We should wait for further directives from our leadership.”

The implications of this standoff are far-reaching. A nationwide strike would not only disrupt essential services across the country but could also ignite a broader confrontation between the government and one of Nigeria’s most powerful unions. With the country already grappling with economic challenges, the prospect of a total shutdown adds a new layer of uncertainty.