Ajaero: Presidency Rejects Rights Violation Claims By UK TUC

The Presidency on Tuesday faulted human rights violation claims levelled against it by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero is not above the law and should have honoured invitations by security agencies for alleged terrorism financing.

The labour leader was on his way to the United Kingdom on Monday for a TUC event when he was arrested by secret police at Abuja airport. He was released 15 hours later on the same day.

Onanuga alleged that Ajaero snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation and rejected the accusation of rights abuse by the UK TUC.

“Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation. Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution.

“We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.

“Besides, the Nigerian Government is being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens.”

The NLC president had honoured police invitation over allegations of terrorism financing in late August, insisting on his innocence.

Ajaero was previously arrested last November in Imo State when he was about to lead a protest over unpaid workers’ salaries, amongst others.