Irked by alleged persistent and orchestrated attacks on the nation’s labour movement by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) has mobilised its entire members to prepare for a nationwide industrial action should the Police arrest the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Reacting, the General Secretary, NUPENG, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, in a Circular to all its branches and members, asked oil workers nationwide, to be ready for action in the case of any eventuality and to wait for further directives from the leadership.
The Circular reads in part, “The leadership of our great union, finds the invasion of the National Secretariat of the NLC by some security agencies and the recent allegations levelled against Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, by the Nigeria Police Force very intriguing and deeply concerning.
“And as a very committed and strong affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we cannot but express our strongest reservations over these unwholesome development and situations.
“In the light of these and consequent upon the resolutions of the National Executive Council, NEC, of the NLC, we earnestly write to put all our members on notice to await further directive on appropriate lines of actions as we keenly observe and noting the unfolding situation concerning the invitation of the NLC President by the Nigeria Police.
“Our solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong. The struggles continue. And we shall overcome”.
Recall that the Nigeria Police Force (PF), on Monday, August 19, invited Ajaero for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cyber crime.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, IRT, had directed in a letter that Ajaero should appear at the IRT office, Force Headquarters on August 20, and warned that he (Ajaero) would be arrested if he failed to honour the invitation.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, through its lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, promptly wrote to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, giving reasons why the NLC President could not honour the August 20 date.
Falana, however, assured that Ajaero would honour the Police invitation on August 29 requesting that the Police furnish him with details and nature of the allegations.
