The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) hailed the labour movement as the most patriotic organization in the country, vowing that the union will not compromise its patriotism, regardless of the challenges it faces.
Ajaero made this statement while addressing a crowd of labour members who had gathered at the NLC headquarters to welcome him after he responded to a police invitation on Thursday.
“The labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan Nigeria organisations, our patriotism from the days of colonial government to even the period of the military is unshakable,” Ajaero said.
“We are more patriotic than any other institution you can think of in this country and we are going to continue to be that. We have gone there and we are back, I just want to confirm to you that as a citizen we have gone there and we are back here.”
The NLC leader was invited to answer questions on alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
He referred to the police invitation as one of the challenges that come with being a labour leader, recalling how he was detained at a unit level during the 90s under the late former head of state, General Sani Abacha.
Ajaero emphasized that the most important thing now is his return to continue the fight for better welfare for Nigerian workers, stating, “We will not be distracted.”
He expressed his gratitude to the NLC members gathered at the headquarters and across the country for their strong show of solidarity.
Ajaero left the headquarters of the police Intelligence Response Team around 11:15 a.m. after submitting his statement.
His police invitation last week sparked widespread reactions, with the labour union accusing the police of harassment.
During an emergency meeting held in response to the invitation, the NLC National Executive Council described the allegations against Ajaero as baseless and politically motivated, aimed at silencing organized labour.
Amnesty International Nigeria, a global humanitarian organization, also condemned the police’s actions, stating that the allegations of terrorism financing against Ajaero were an attempt by Nigerian authorities to intimidate union leaders.