Ajaero not above law: Nigerian govt ferociously refutes human rights abuse claims
NLC President, Joe Ajaero
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Nigerian government has strongly rejected accusations of human rights abuses made during the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the United Kingdom, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The accusations emerged during the opening of the TUC conference in London, where the union’s leader criticised Nigeria for alleged human rights violations.
However, the Nigerian government, in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the claims, emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and constitutional governance.
The controversy stems from an ongoing investigation involving Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who was reportedly prevented from traveling abroad after refusing to comply with a summons from Nigerian law enforcement.
The government clarified that Ajaero was not above the law and was required to answer the summons, as is expected of any citizen.
“Nigeria is a country governed by law, and no one, including Mr. Ajaero, is exempt from the legal obligations that bind all citizens,” Onanuga stated, adding that the invitation extended to Ajaero had no relation to his role as NLC president.
Drawing parallels with global legal systems, the government noted that prominent figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, son of the current U.S. president, had faced legal scrutiny in their countries.
- DSS grants Ajaero bail
- NLC issues ultimatum: Release Ajaero by midnight or face consequences
- NLC calls for immediate, unconditional release of Ajaero
The Nigerian government argued that Ajaero’s refusal to comply with the investigation undermined the rule of law and is not a reflection of human rights violations.
In response to the UK TUC’s allegations, Onanuga emphasised that Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, a pro-democracy activist, remains committed to upholding civil liberties and protecting the rights of all Nigerians.
He also refuted the notion of adversarial relations between the Nigerian government and its labour unions, noting that while disagreements over policy direction might occur, the government has consistently engaged with labour in good faith.
The statement also criticised the ideological positions of Nigerian labour unions, arguing that past opposition to economic policies, such as the 2007 sale of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, had hindered the country’s economic development.
Onanuga cited the failure of the government-owned refineries since the labour movement’s intervention, while private investment, such as the Dangote refinery, has proven successful.
The Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to fostering national prosperity, promoting economic growth, and addressing the country’s challenges while maintaining a positive relationship with the labour movement.
The administration of President Tinubu, Onanuga stressed, would continue to implement policies that prioritise the economic well-being of Nigerians while adhering to the principles of justice and law.
