In an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) voiced serious concern over the Nigeria Police Force’s recent invitation of the Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The invitation is connected to what the NEC described as a "clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony."

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the NLC emphasized that, instead of addressing the "apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies," the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on "a spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting." The NEC strongly condemned these actions, calling them "a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership," which are protected under the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.

Despite these concerns, the NEC resolved that the NLC would "honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police" as a demonstration of its commitment to the rule of law and due process. However, they also stated they would "demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation." The NEC made it clear that this decision "does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations" against Comrade Ajaero.

Further condemning the situation, the NEC described "the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other Labour leaders" as a calculated effort to "weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses."

The NEC issued a stern warning to the state to "desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith." The NLC vowed not to "sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the State."

In light of the escalating situation, the NEC directed all NLC affiliates and state councils to "immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation." The NLC declared that if any harm comes to the President or any other leader of the Congress due to these "tendentious allegations," the NEC would instruct its affiliates and state councils to "proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Midnight today."

The communiqué further called on civil society allies and the general public to "stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment," stressing that "the fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one." The NEC urged all Nigerians to rise in defense of "our shared democratic values."

The communiqué concluded with a firm declaration: "The Nigeria Labour Congress remains committed to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people," and that the Congress "shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us." The NLC affirmed its unwavering commitment to "upholding justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country."