Nigerian labour unions have issued a stern warning to the Nigeria Police Force, threatening to shut down the national grid and telecom services if the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, is arrested.
This comes after the police summoned Ajaero for questioning over alleged links to terrorism financing and other allegations.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE) have vowed to embark on a nationwide strike if Ajaero is arrested. In a notice to members, NUEE directed workers to down tools from midnight on August 21, 2024, if Ajaero is taken into custody. NUPTE followed suit, threatening to shut down telecom services.
Ajaero, in a letter to the police, turned down the invitation for questioning, citing late notice. However, he agreed to honour the invitation on Wednesday, August 29.
The threatened shutdown portends danger to Nigeria’s economy, as electricity and telecoms are critical sectors. A similar shutdown on June 3 resulted in a nationwide blackout.
The NLC, NUEE, and NUPTE have shown a united front, warning against any attempt to arrest Ajaero or other labour leaders. The situation is being closely monitored, and developments will be reported as they unfold.
