society

NLC President honours police invitation today on Terrorism Allegation

Published

7 months ago

August 29, 2024

NLC President honours police invitation today on Terrorism Allegation

President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, will today appear at Force Headquarters to honour a Police summon over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime 11 days after an invitation by the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, arm of the Police.

Leaders of industrial unions affiliated with NLC, workers, civil society allies and some lawyers, among others, are expected to accompany Ajaero to the Police headquarters.

NLC has also directed leaders of its state councils nationwide to mobilize and embark on a peaceful procession to state police commands and hold prayer sessions in solidarity with its President and organized Labour over the current challenges facing the labour movement in the country.

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has asked its Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chapter to mobilize Abuja-based journalists to the Force Headquartres in solidarity with NLC and its President, Ajaero.

This came as the Trade Union Congress, TUC, (United Kingdom) urged the British government to prevail on the federal government to end the violent repression and intimidation of trade unions.

Recall that the Police had on August 19, invited the NLC President to appear at its headquarters for questioning on August 20, over allegation of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime, threatening to arrest him if he failed to honour the invitation.

But on August 20, human rights activist and lawyer to the NLC, Femi Falana, SAN, explained why the President of NLC could not honour the Police invitation for him to appear.

In a circular to NLC affiliates and state councils, by the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC stated: “In response to the recent summon by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024, we call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.

All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the NLC by 8:00 AM on Thursday (today) to accompany the President to the Police for the scheduled interaction.

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In state capitals, members should gather at their respective state secretariats. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their state police headquarters where they will hold a prayer session until the President’s interaction with the Police is concluded.

“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session. If for any reason, the President is detained; all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike.”

NUJ directive

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in a show of solidarity, has directed its FCT chapter to mobilize members in Abuja and work with other affiliates of NLC to accompany the Congress President to force headquartres.

NUJ in a statement by the National Secretary, Achike Chude, said: “We have been watching with trepidation great angst and baited breath, the unfathomable macabre dance exhibited by the nation’s police force against the leadership of the Nigerian workers, most notably President of NLC, Joe Ajaero.

“Our seeming silence was observed in the hope that the police would beat a hasty retreat from their actions and tread the path of caution and civility. We have no bones to grind with the police authorities and, as citizens of this greatly beloved but much beleaguered country, we are ever willing to cooperate with the authorities whenever demanded by national imperatives and exigencies, the police included.

“But it must never be at the expense of our union, our people, and our country. The importance of fighting for, and defending our nation state, Nigeria, cannot be over-emphasized.

”We are patriots, we are Nigerians, and we love our country, in spite of deeply inherent socio-economic contradictions that are threatening our very existence as a nation.”

United Kingdom Labour Union reacts

Meanwhile, the TUC (United Kingdom), has joined the growing list of global labour movement solidarity against perceived attacks of Nigerian trade unions and their leaders.

In a solidarity message to NLC and its President, the General Secretary TUC (UK), Paul Nowak, said: “The TUC notes with deep concern the ongoing persecution of President of NLC, Joe Ajaero. The President was summoned by the police on trumped-up charges of ‘criminal conspiracy and ‘terrorism financing’.

”This follows President Ajaero’s arrest and assault by the police last November. Earlier this month, heavily armed security forces raided and occupied the headquarters of the NLC, causing considerable damage to the building and arresting a union official.

“This violation of the NLC’s right to operate free from intimidation follows a sustained period of hostility from the Nigerian government towards the NLC and its affiliated unions, SSANU and NASU.

“The raid on NLC and continued harassment of its President come as the organisation held an emergency meeting to discuss the welfare of Nigerian workers amid peaceful #EndBadGovernance protests sparked by the country’s cost of living crisis.

“The TUC urges the UK government to call on the government of Nigeria to end the violent repression and intimidation of trade unions and ensure that trade unions in Nigeria can operate freely without fear.

”Instead of attacking unions, the Nigerian government should engage with them in social dialogue to find ways to end the cost-of-living crisis and, as the NLC put it, ‘chart a path forward that addresses the root causes of the current unrest – hunger, poverty, inflation, insecurity and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies.

society

From Giant to Beggar: The Tragic Collapse of Nigeria Under APC Rule

Published

18 hours ago

April 4, 2025

Sahara Weekly

From Giant to Beggar: The Tragic Collapse of Nigeria Under APC Rule

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Once hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria now limps on broken legs — economically battered, politically rudderless, and morally bankrupt. It is no longer just the brain drain that should worry us; it is the soul drain. Nigerians — students, professionals, entire families — are fleeing not just to Europe or North America, but to Ghana, a nation we once dismissed as “small brother.” This is not just ironic. It is humiliating. And it is a direct consequence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) taking power in 2015.

The APC’s takeover, starting with President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, marked the beginning of a free-fall. What followed was a decade of despair, capped now by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — another APC patriarch — who has inherited and worsened the crisis. The result? Every airport terminal has become a departure lounge for the talented, the young, and the fed up.

A Decade of Despair: From Buhari

Politics

Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression

Published

19 hours ago

April 4, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression

Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression

The United Democratic Coalition (UDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, citing worsening insecurity and a breakdown of democratic order in the state.

The demand was contained in a statement on Friday signed by Abdulrahman Danladi, president of the coalition.

Danladi described Zamfara as “a state under siege,” accusing the state government of abandoning its constitutional duty to protect lives and uphold democratic principles.

“The situation in Zamfara has gone from troubling to terrifying. Armed groups operate freely, citizens are at the mercy of bandits, and yet those elected to speak up are being silenced,” the statement read.

He was referring to the recent suspension of 10 lawmakers in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, whom he said were punished for raising concerns about insecurity and illegal mining in their constituencies.

“What we are witnessing is not just lawlessness — it is executive tyranny. These lawmakers were elected by the people and have a duty to speak out. Instead of listening to them, the state assembly, clearly acting on orders, has shut them down,” Danladi said.

He likened the political tension in Zamfara to the recent situation in Rivers state, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara governed with just four lawmakers after a split in the House of Assembly — a scenario that prompted calls for federal intervention.

“If Rivers with four lawmakers sparked talks of emergency rule, how is Zamfara with 10 suspended lawmakers and spiraling violence, not a national concern?” Danladi asked.

“The same standard must apply. Democracy is being murdered in Zamfara in broad daylight. If the federal government could consider intervening in Rivers, it must not turn a blind eye to the breakdown in Zamfara.”

“We are calling for a six-month state of emergency in Zamfara to allow security forces to take control, restore peace, and return the state to constitutional order.”

The group also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers and an investigation into what it called “executive interference” in the legislature.

“This is not the time for political correctness. It is the time for leadership. The people of Zamfara are under siege — both by bandits and by those who should be protecting them,” the statement added.

Zamfara, one of Nigeria’s most troubled states, continues to face persistent attacks from armed groups, with thousands displaced and dozens killed in the past year alone.

society

Ariya247 Exclusive : I Got Inspired Through Prayers, Says Ugochukwu Obi

Published

21 hours ago

April 4, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Ariya247 Exclusive : I Got Inspired Through Prayers, Says Ugochukwu Obi

Ugochukwu Innocent Obi was born into the family of Obi Okereke, originally from Uhuolugho Ngodo Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. He was born in Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, and later moved to Lagos, where he spent a significant part of his early life.

In 2010, he relocated to the United States to further his career in government contracting, earning multiple certifications in the field. Currently, Mr. Obi is a contracting professional for the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as a preacher, author, and gospel artist.

His faith journey began in 1995 when he became born again, leading him to serve in pastoral roles across various countries. As a gospel artist, he has released several songs, including You Alone, Holy One, Elohim, Let Me See You, Let It Flow, The Light of Your Presence, Arise from the Wings, Spirit of the Living God, and I Give You Praise.

Speaking on his inspiration for gospel music, Mr. Obi shares, “My motivation comes from God. Whenever I pray, I hear the sounds of heavenly music and find myself singing new songs. My desire is to bring these divine melodies to life here on earth.”