Arrest our president, all we'll shut the country- NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members and all workers in the country to shut down the economy if the police arrest Comrade Joe Ajaero, its President.

The union said this in reaction to the invitation to Ajaero by the police over alleged financing of terrorism.

Reacting to the development, the NLC summoned an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Labour House where it resolved to write to the police for an extension of time to enable the union to consult its lawyers.

Speaking at the emergency meeting, NLC Deputy President, Kabiru Ado Sani, said Ajaero’s invitation was an invitation to workers.

Sani said, “At the end of the meeting, we reached some certain resolutions. Part of the resolution is that, as a committed labour centre, we agreed or that we abide by the rule of law and due process.

“So we are already working with our lawyers to look for extension of time, but this does not legitimise the charges by the Nigerian police to the Congress leadership.

“Secondly, we resolve that in an event our Congress President was arrested or detained at any moment, we put our affiliate on red alert to mobilise our membership across the country, that all workers in this country should down tool their services.”