A Civil Society Organization under the aegis of Civil Society Coalition for the Defence of Democracy in Nigeria, CSO-CODDIN, has faulted the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, for threatening to embark on an indefinite strike should the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, not be recalled.
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend in Abuja, the convener of the CSO, Olayemi Isaac described Ajaero’s strike threat as an assault on democracy and undue interference in the judiciary’s constitutional role of adjudication.
Isaac stressed that the judiciary should be allowed to determine the matter without external pressure.
The Coalition condemned what it termed the “meddlesomeness and partisanship” of the NLC President, urging him instead to direct his energy toward pressing national challenges such as hunger, insecurity, and the welfare of Nigerian workers.
It further accused Ajaero of serving as a willing tool in the hands of desperate politicians whose interests he now promotes.
According to the group, if Ajaero is intent on partisan politics, he should resign his position as NLC president and openly join a political party.
“The matter remains before a court of competent jurisdiction and is therefore sub judice. We consider Comrade Joe Ajaero’s threat to embark on an indefinite strike if Senator Natasha is not recalled as an unsavory assault on democratic principles and undue interference in judicial processes,” the Coalition stated.
It added that the Ajaero-led NLC has become “an embarrassment that leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many Nigerians,” noting that the union has remained silent on issues of national insecurity in Plateau, Benue, Niger, and elsewhere, yet is preoccupied with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which it maintained was done in line with Senate rules.
According to the Coalition, the NLC, which was established to defend and advance the rights of Nigerian workers, has now strayed from its mandate and turned into a political tool serving the interests of individuals.
“Our coalition hereby calls on the NLC to desist from meddling in the constitutionally assigned role of the Senate and save itself further disrepute.
“We therefore urge Comrade Joe Ajaero to resign from the Labour movement and join a political party of his choice, rather than hiding under the cloak of trade unionism to pursue personal and parochial interests,” Isaacs said.
