The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed all its members to participate in a nationwide peaceful prayer procession on August 29 in response to the recent police invitation of Joe Ajaero, the NLC president.
Emmanuel Ugboaja, the General Secretary of the NLC, issued a letter to all affiliates and state councils detailing the mobilization for this event. The letter, titled “Mobilisation for Peaceful Procession and Prayer Session in Solidarity,” was released on Wednesday in Abuja.
The police have summoned Ajaero for questioning on charges including “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime,” which the NLC views as unfounded.
Ugboaja urged all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity. Central Working Committee members and other participants are expected to gather at the NLC National Headquarters at 8:00 am on August 29 to accompany Ajaero to the police for his scheduled interaction.
Members in state capitals are instructed to assemble at their respective state congress secretariats and march peacefully to their State Police Headquarters for a prayer session until the interaction concludes.
The NLC emphasizes that this peaceful march is a united stand against what they consider unjust actions aimed at intimidating their leadership and suppressing the voices of Nigerian workers. They also warned that if Ajaero is detained, a nationwide indefinite strike will follow.
Ugboaja called for peaceful and orderly conduct during the procession and prayer session, stressing the importance of solidarity in defending civic rights and the integrity of the labour movement.