The Presidency has declared that there was no violation of human rights concerning the recent arrest of the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Naija News reports that the Presidency stated this while refuting allegations of human rights abuses and violations made against President Bola Tinubu’s administration by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, indicated that the TUC commenced its conference in London with its leader making unfounded assertions regarding human rights violations in Nigeria.
Onanuga emphasized that the Nigerian government was “incorrectly and unjustly accused of rights abuses” because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was prevented from travelling abroad after disregarding an invitation from a law enforcement agency involved in an ongoing investigation.
The Presidency remarked that Ajaero perceives himself as above the law, asserting that “his actions, however, carry significant repercussions, as no individual is above the law in Nigeria.”
Onanuga said, “Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation. Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution.
“We are not aware that there is anyone in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe and the United States, trade union leaders inclusive, who will flagrantly ignore the invitation or summons of MI5 or Scotland Yard or treat the FBI with the level of disdain Mr Ajaero has subjected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
“We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.
“Besides, the Nigerian Government being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens. There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government. While labour unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labour despite the latter’s political partisanship.”
He said contrary to the “erroneous impression” being created, “the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero has nothing to do with his role as the President of NLC.
“As a responsible citizen of Nigeria, Mr Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies and resolve any issues that may arise during the investigation instead of stirring adverse public opinion against the security agencies.”
