A coalition of civil society organisations under the Campaign for the Protection of Workers’ Rights in Nigeria has called on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, to resign from the union.
The National Coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Abubakar Ado, made the call on Monday in Kano at a press briefing with the theme “NLC Meddlesomeness on the Affairs of the Senate; A Call for Caution”.
Ado faulted Ajaero’s threat to embark on an indefinite strike if Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was not recalled, describing it as an “unsavoury assault on democracy” and an undue interference in judicial processes.
He said the matter was already before a competent court, stressing that the NLC under Ajaero had lost focus on its constitutional role of protecting workers.
“The NLC was created for the sole purpose of advancing the welfare of Nigerian workers, but it has now become a willing tool in the hands of politicians. Ajaero should resign from the labour movement and join a political party of his choice,” he said.
The coalition said Nigerians expected the NLC to address issues of insecurity, inflation and welfare of workers instead of championing a political cause.
“The Senate and the judiciary are vital to our democracy. Any attempt to undermine their independence is an affront to the rule of law,” Ado added.