The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on administrative bail. Ajaero’s release late Monday night is seen as an effort to avert a looming nationwide shutdown of the economy.
Omoyele Sowore, activist and politician, confirmed Ajaero’s release via his official X account shortly after midnight. The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,” Sowore wrote on the platform.
As of the time of filing this report, the NLC had not yet officially confirmed Ajaero’s release.
This development follows a communique from the NLC threatening to shut down the country’s economy if Ajaero was not freed before midnight on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Earlier that same day, Ajaero was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom for an official engagement. His detention triggered widespread condemnation, with both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress demanding his immediate release.
In response to Ajaero’s arrest, the NLC directed all its affiliate unions to prepare for industrial action if he was not released. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) also issued a notice of a potential grid shutdown if Ajaero remained in custody beyond Monday.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), expressed concern over the economic implications of Ajaero’s arrest. In a statement to the DAILY POST, Yusuf urged the DSS to avoid exacerbating Nigeria’s already fragile economic situation.
“The way forward is to dialogue because any strike or protest will further worsen the state of Nigeria’s economy. We cannot afford that at this moment,” Yusuf stated.
He emphasized the need for transparency and communication between the DSS and the NLC, noting that any charges against Ajaero should be handled through legal channels to prevent further economic disruption. “Things should be openly put on the table in line with the rule of law,” he added.
NLC Warns of Broader Clampdown
The NLC’s spokesperson, Benson Upah, warned that the DSS’s actions might signal a wider crackdown on civic organizations in Nigeria. Upah described Ajaero’s arrest as part of a broader agenda by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“This arrest is not limited to the Nigeria Labour Congress. The clampdown will spread viral. It is an organized crime against the people of this country,” Upah stated, expressing concerns that media organizations could be next.
“We do anticipate worse things to happen. The signals are quite clear,” he said, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the potential spread of government actions against other sectors.
In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) reported that its Abuja office was also raided by DSS operatives on Monday.
