ABUJA – The Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) has described the arrest and detention of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero as a bad omen for Nigeria’s democracy even as it urged President Bola Tinubu to order his release from the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
In a statement by the Executive Director of CFSF, Comrade Sanni Baba, stated that Ajaero who was on his way to the United Kingdom to address workers under auspices of the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain was seized at the airport and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State, according to information from Head of Information and Public Affairs of the NLC, Benson Upah, in a statement issued earlier today (Monday).
The gathering in UK is a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. As at the time of this statement, the NLC president’s where about is still not known.
The arrest of Ajaero is coming on the heels of the invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the DSS.
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Executive Director of CFSF, Comrade Sani Baba said:“We find this development very disturbing. Democracy, free speech and freedom of association are now on trial. Comrade Ajaero’s arrest reminds us of the military era when activists and labour leaders were regularly hounded and thrown into jail for speaking truth to power. We demand his immediate and unconditional release”
Comrade Baba urged the President to order the release of Ajaero and caution the DSS from further actions that brew discontent in the land.
“President Bola Tinubu should immediately direct the DSS to cease the harassment, intimidation, and attacks on Nigerians’ rights. Agents of the DSS who carried out this unlawful act must also be identified, arrested and made to face the law”
The CFSF said that the government must allow rights defenders carry out their work without intimidation as long as their activities do not violate the law, even as it added that Ajaero’s activities have been carried out thus far within the ambit of the law.
“Allowing this anomaly to hold would mean the president is setting a bad precedent for democracy not only in Nigeria but also for the African continent that looks to Nigeria for leadership. The arrest of Ajaero is one arrest too many. It is unacceptable and the president must order his release”, Baba stated.
