The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has dismissed allegations of human rights violations brought forward by the UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) following the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Ajaero was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while en route to London for a TUC conference.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the government clarified that Ajaero’s arrest resulted from his failure to comply with a lawful summons from the DSS. The government emphasized that no individual, including Ajaero, is above the law in Nigeria. Onanuga referenced global practices, stating that ignoring law enforcement agencies is not tolerated in nations like the United States or the UK, where leaders such as Donald Trump and Hunter Biden have been subjects of investigations.
Onanuga reiterated that the accusations of human rights abuses were unfounded, asserting that Nigeria, under a pro-democracy president, upholds civil liberties and the rule of law. The government maintained that its relationship with labour unions remains constructive and that Ajaero’s actions were unrelated to his role in the NLC.
The government urged Ajaero to comply with lawful investigations rather than fuel public dissent against security agencies, stressing that ideological conflicts from unions often hinder the nation’s economic growth.
