ANEEJ, Condemns Arrest of Ajaero, Siege on SERAP
ABUJA, NIGERIA. September 9, 2024.. The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has condemned the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Service (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja just as it condemned in strong terms, DSS siege to the Abuja office of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev David Ugolor called for the immediate release of the NLC president and the vacation of SERAP’s office, noting that the action of government was sending the wrong signals to the international community about the present government’s muzzling of the civic space in Nigeria.
“Labour and SERAP’s Leaders are being persecuted because they called on government to reverse the pump price of petrol that has afflicted energy poverty on over 160 million Nigerians. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Ajaero and all civil society leaders in their detention,” Rev. Ugolor said.
“We at ANEEJ also condemn the increase in the pump price of petrol because Nigerians are facing untold hardship at the moment and arresting Labour and Civil Society leaders who speak against government’s harsh economic policies is unacceptable in a democracy.
The Federal Government should understand the implications of its actions. It is making Nigeria a laughing stock amongst the comity of nations to arrest Labour leaders and Civil rights activists as government’s actions runs contrary to United Chatter on human and people’s rights and a violation of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as Amended.
ANEEJ stated that “Nigerians are suffering from the unabating increase in the pump price of petrol which has pushed many citizens to their early graves and many others unable to access basic medical care, food and basic education. Civil Society Leaders cannot fold our hands and watch fellow Nigerians die of hunger and starvation, while government officials cruise in the posh aircrafts and cars,” Ugolor asserted.
It would be recalled that the DSS reportedly arrested Ajaero on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment. The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.
Also, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were reported to have laid siege at the office of the the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) following a 48-hour deadline given to President Bola Tinubu to reverse the recent hike in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.
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