By Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Federal Government has denied claims that the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, was politically motivated.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, the government insisted that Ajaero’s arrest was a result of his refusal to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation.
According to Bayo, Ajaero was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) to answer questions regarding a matter of national interest, but he failed to honour the invitation. The government emphasized that no one is above the law and that Ajaero’s actions were tantamount to disrespecting the rule of law.
The government’s statement came on the heels of allegations by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom, which accused the Nigerian government of human rights abuse and political persecution.
It is also coming at a time when Ajaero was arrested on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, where he was billed to attend a trade union meeting in the United Kingdom.
The statement reads in part
“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 reads.
