From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has denied categorically allegations of human rights abuses made by the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo in the United Kingdom.
In a statement titled: “Nigeria, A Country Governed By Law, Categorically Denies Any Human Rights Abuse” issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in response to claims made during the TUC’s conference in London, where the organisation’s leader accused Nigeria of violating human rights, noted that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero being barred from traveling abroad, had reportedly ignored an invitation from law enforcement regarding an ongoing investigation.
Onanuga emphasised that no one is above the law in Nigeria, reinforcing that the actions taken against Ajaero were lawful and necessary.
He stressed that the Nigerian government operates under the rule of law, akin to practices in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, where individuals, including high-profile figures, are subject to legal scrutiny.
“We reject any notion of human rights violations in Nigeria,” Onanuga stated, calling the TUC’s claims unfounded and misinformed.
Onanuga urged Ajaero to cooperate with law enforcement, stating, “As a responsible citizen, Mr. Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies.”
The presidential Media aide emphasised government’s commitment to civil liberties under President Tinubu, a pro-democracy activist.
While acknowledging that labour unions and the government may not always align, he noted that the administration remains open to dialogue.
Onanuga reiterated the government’s dedication to promoting policies that enhance national prosperity, despite current challenges.
He underscored the importance of addressing economic realities, citing past instances where labour opposition hindered economic progress.
He reflected on the long-standing opposition from Labour unions regarding the privatization of the Port-Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, a contentious issue that has persisted since 2007.
He recalled how the NLC and the TUC vehemently opposed the sale of these refineries to the Bluestar Consortium, which was backed by prominent businessmen Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He added that despite the Labour movement’s successful push to cancel the sale under President Umar Yar’Adua, the outcome has not yielded the expected improvements. According to him, 17 years later, none of Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries are operational, forcing the country to rely heavily on fuel imports.
Onanuga said in a stark contrast, Dangote has since established the largest single-train refinery in the world, a project that has garnered praise from the very unions that opposed him in 2007.
He added that the irony of the situation was not lost on observers, as the same labour unions that once fought against Dangote’s acquisition are now celebrating his achievements in the refining sector. “It is a twist of fate that highlights the complexities of our economic landscape,” noted Onanuga.
He said in light of these developments, President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s economic interests. Onanuga stated, “We will continue to pursue policies that expand national economic output and create prosperity for our citizens.”
He added that the government aims to navigate these challenges while fostering a cooperative relationship with labour unions, despite past disagreements.
The statement read: “The Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom opened its conference today in London, with its leader making false claims about human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation.
Ajaero, who probably considers himself above the law, was slated to speak at the same conference where the UK TUC leader attacked Nigeria. His actions, however, have serious consequences, as no one is above the law in Nigeria.
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. Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution.
We are not aware that there is anyone in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe and the United States, trade union leaders inclusive, who will flagrantly ignore the invitation or summons of MI5 or Scotland Yard or treat the FBI with the level of disdain Mr Ajaero has subjected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
In the United States, for example, former President Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous investigations and prosecutions in courts in several states since he left office. Mr. Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, has been the subject of a lawful investigation by the FBI.
We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.
Besides, the Nigerian Government is being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens.
There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government.
While labour unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labour despite the latter’s political partisanship.
Contrary to the erroneous impression being created, the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero has nothing to do with his role as the President of NLC.
As a responsible citizen of Nigeria, Mr Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies and resolve any issues that may arise during the investigation instead of stirring adverse public opinion against the security agencies.
It is worth reminding Nigerians and the global community that the federal government recognises that the labour movement exists to protect and defend the interests of its members. What is also worth noting is that Labour, in most cases, only advances ideological positions that fly in the face of economic realities.
Many ideological stances of the labour unions in Nigeria in the past have only stunted the economic growth and development of the country and even compromised the material well-being of the workers and the poor people they protect.
A case in point was the strong opposition of the NLC and TUC to the sale of Port-Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries to Bluestar Consortium, promoted in 2007 by Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Seventeen years after the labour movement forced the successor government of Umar Yar’ Adua to cancel the sale of the two refineries, none of the four government-owned refineries worked.
In the obverse, Mr. Aliko Dangote, one of the promoters of Bluestar, has built the largest single-train refinery in the world. In a twist of fate, the same Labour Movement that fiercely opposed Dangote from taking over the two refineries in 2007 hailed him on completing his 650,000-bpd refinery in Lagos.
The administration of President Tinubu will continue to promote the best economic interest of Nigerians despite the current challenges. It will also continue to pursue policies and programmes that will expand national economic output and create prosperity for our citizens.”
