Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero.
In a statement on Tuesday, Abubakar, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, argued that Ajaero’s arrest is indicative of a broader crackdown on organized labour and free speech under Tinubu’s leadership.
He further claimed that the level of oppressive control exercised by the current administration now exceeds even the most repressive periods of military dictatorship.
The former Vice President urged the government and security agencies to focus their efforts on addressing the root causes of violence, rather than intimidating labour leaders.
“The recent arrest of Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomises this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organised labour,” Atiku said.
“The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) revealed that its President, Joe Ajaero, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday while en route to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
Ajaero was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which was set to begin on Monday.
His arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from several Nigerians and various groups, criticizing the actions of the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives involved in the incident.
The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian…
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) September 10, 2024