By Mustapha Gambo Muhammad
A coalition of civil society organizations has issued a scathing rebuke of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, accusing him of overstepping his bounds and undermining democratic institutions by threatening an indefinite strike over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Addressing Journalists in Kano, Comrade Abubakar Ado, National Coordinator of the Campaign for the Protection of Workers Rights in Nigeria, the group condemned Ajaero’s actions as “an unsavoury assault on the principles and tenets of democracy” and “undue interference in the judiciary’s role to adjudicate on matters of national significance.”
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“It has now become evident that the Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress has constituted itself into an embarrassment, one that leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many Nigerians,” Ado declared.
The coalition expressed deep concern that the NLC, once a bastion for workers’ rights, has remained silent on pressing national issues such as insecurity in Plateau, Benue, and Niger States, while choosing to focus its energy on the recall of a suspended senator.
“How many times has the labour union marched in solidarity with our citizens who are being killed on a daily basis by hydra-headed and monstrous bandits and terrorists across the country?” Ado asked.
The group accused the NLC of becoming “a willing tool in the hands of individual politicians,” and called on Ajaero to “tow the path of sanity and decorum” and stop “making a mockery of its well-defined mandate.”
They further demanded that Ajaero resign from the labour movement and formally join a political party if he wishes to pursue partisan interests.
“He should stop dragging the labour movement into a political battle involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for personal gains because it undermines the credibility of the labour union,” Ado stated.
The coalition emphasized the importance of respecting the independence of the Senate and the judiciary, warning that any attempt to undermine these institutions is “an affront on both, which represent the fulcrum of democracy and rule of law.”
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The group reaffirmed its commitment to defending democratic norms and called on Nigerians across the political spectrum to support the constitutional roles of all arms of government.
“This is our position and we stand ready to defend it as responsible and independent civil society organizations,” Ado concluded.
