By Emmanuel Sixtus
Lagos, Nigeria – After finally achieving what they longed for in order to quiet the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress, the government of President Bola Amed Tinubu has denied subjecting the NLC president to human right abuses, despite picking him up on trumped up charges.
The recent arrest of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS) has caused a huge controversy, both internally and externally. The arrest was in waiting and expected to happen since the country’s trade union decided to oppose the unpopular policies of the administration that caused economic hardship and hunger in the country.
Observers, including the United Kingdom’s Trade Union Congress (TUC), have knocked the incident as clear and calculated violation of human rights, raising real questions about the condition of civil liberties under Nigeria’s current administration. The administration of President Bola Amed Tinubu has shown disdain for civil liberty and the right to protest or democratically disagree with the policies of his administration.
The administration has often show traces of dictatorship, going after its critics and those that want a true change of policies, even though such desires do not harm the administration, as it abides by democratic values and carried out within the confines of the law.
United Kingdom’s Trade Union Congress and other foreign trade unions have voiced their support of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and have demanded of the administration of President Bola Amed Tinubu to quickly change their modus operandi, which is aimed at arm twisting the country’s trade union and silencing it.
But in a quick response, the Nigerian government has pushed back against these accusations by United Kingdom’s Trade Union Congress and others, saying that the arrest of NLC president was in accordance of the law of the land.
A spokesperson for the government, in a statement released on Tuesday, defended the actions of the State Secret Service, insisting that the arrest was lawful and carried out within the legal confines of the country’s law. Repeating the usual claims that follow up when the institution’s illegalities are questioned by observers and critics.
The spokesperson also underscored the principle that no one, regardless of their influence or status, is above the law—a pointed reference to Ajaero’s prominent role in Nigeria’s labor movement. The country’s Secret Service is used to defense of its institution which is often used by the presidency to target oppositions and those they deem a threat to their dictates.
The Secret Service is a tool in the hands of the presidency, and has in the past been used against those that want to stop the dictatorship. The arrest of the Nigerian Labour Congress president has been in the making since he started the quest for minimum wage increase.
This defense by the DSS follows a scathing critique from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who condemned the government’s handling of Ajaero as even more oppressive than the practices seen during Nigeria’s military rule. The PDP leader has stayed long enough in the Nigerian politics to witness what happened during the military regime and can be rightly trusted with his statements.
Atiku’s comparison to military regime reflects the rate with which opposition figures and civil society measure the administration’s actions. The desperation of the administration mirrors that of the military dictatorship, who goes at any length to imprison or force opposition and civil liberty figures into exile.
The DSS, a main security department tasked with maintaining Nigeria’s national security, has consistently faced criticism for carelessly acting with impunity and exceeds its authority, mainly in its dealings with political and labor leaders. The security department has been consigned to only fighting opposition leaders, and doing the biding of the presidency instead of focus on national security matters.
Sources familiar with the predicament of Ajaero’s suggests that his arrest was due to his vocal opposition to government policies—stances that have led to widespread strikes and protests across Nigeria. He was accused by the administration of President Bola Amed Tinubu of financing and backing End Bad Governance protest.
Angered by the DSS mishandling of the Nigerian Labour Congress president, international voices have also joined in support of him. The pressure being mounted on the administration and DSS is aimed to force the release of the NLC leader.
The UK’s TUC showed “deep concern” over what it perceives as a crackdown on lawful labor activities in Nigeria. Their statement underscored the crucial duty to protect labor leaders’ rights and ensure they can advocate and express their political views without fear of reprisal.
What Next
The Nigerian government, however, remains firm in its position. It argues that its moves are not aimed at suppressing opposition but are crucial to uphold the rule of law. The argument is out of frame, as the labour leader did not commit any crime known to the constitution of the land.
The government spokesperson reiterated a commitment to constructive engagement with labor unions, but with a stern warning: any actions deemed to threaten national security will be met with decisive action. The statement of warning is viewed from the perspective that all labour union leaders must follow or act according to the dictates of the government.
Often the DSS categorizes threat to national security as opposing the policies of the administration, or opposition embracing democratic values-where their voices are raised. When voices are raised and protest or civil disobedience which is the hallmarks of democracy is used, DSS tags such a threat to national security.
Conclusion
This issue has further added weight to the ongoing debate in Nigeria about the fragile balance between security and civil liberties. As the matter unfolds, it is likely to attract even more inquiry from both local and international human rights organizations.
Labor unions have historically played a remarkable role in shaping the future of Nigerians and its workers; it has also been a powerful force in Nigeria, championing workers’ rights and challenging government policies.
The arrest of Ajaero in this critical moment could either trigger a broader crackdown on dissent or due to pressure internally or externally force the government to reconsider its approach to labor relations. The outcome of the action of the DSS will be clearer in days and weeks to come.
For now, all eyes are on the Nigerian government as it navigates through this critical situation. The consequences could have profound implications for the nation’s democratic values and its human rights record.
But historically, Nigerian leaders have often had their way in using the DSS to hunt their critics and opposition with no consequences afterwards. The arrest of labour union is rare, and it could take the government’s relations with Labour Congress into unchartered water.
