Ajaero’s Arrest, Raid of SERAP Office: Tinubu’s Regime is a Clear Dissent to an Absolute and Full Blown Civilian Dictatorship — CLO
The arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja have sparked widespread condemnation, with the Civil Liberties critics accusing President Tinubu’s regime of sliding into fascist authoritarianism.
“This is a clear dissent to an absolute and full-blown civilian dictatorship,” said Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO). “The time to crush it is now.”
Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on his way to address the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom on economic equity, social justice, and human rights. The Directorate of State Service (DSS) claimed that Ajaero failed to honour an invitation to answer questions on a petition against him, but no warrant was issued for his arrest.
“The rising trend of gross violation of fundamental human rights and civil liberties of Nigerian citizens and lawful institutions since May 29, 2023, has become an issue of monumental concern to the Civil Liberties Organisation,” Ezike said.
The CLO has called on human rights movements, labour unions, and the international community to rise up against this “wilful conspiracy against Nigerian society and people.”
“Nigeria must be free and our people must have food in the midst of lavishing plenty to eat and their fundamental human rights which are attributes of accountable and constitutional democracy to enjoy,” Ezike said.
