The United Kingdom branch of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has condemned Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for the recent arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero. Mr. Ajaero had openly criticized the latest fuel price hike under Tinubu’s administration, describing the situation as “traumatic and nightmarish.”
On Monday, Mr. Ajaero was apprehended by Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) at the international wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, just before boarding a flight to the UK for the TUC 2024 Congress. He was released shortly after, following widespread pressure from human rights and civil rights organizations.
The UK TUC issued a statement on Tuesday, calling the arrest “unlawful” and urging President Tinubu to halt the persecution of Mr. Ajaero.
“Although Joe was released last night, his ordeal is far from over. His unlawful arrest represents a serious violation of fundamental trade union freedoms, especially as he was en route to speak to us about the crucial right of trade unions to seek solidarity,” the statement read.
The UK TUC reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s trade unions, condemning the actions of the Nigerian government and demanding an end to the persecution of Mr. Ajaero.
Mr. Ajaero has accused President Tinubu of deceiving the NLC into signing an agreement to raise the minimum wage to ₦70,000, with a promise to reduce fuel prices to ₦145 per liter. However, the new wage has yet to be implemented, while the fuel price has soared to ₦855, pushing many Nigerians and businesses into poverty.
According to Mr. Ajaero, President Tinubu broke his commitment by increasing fuel prices without implementing any mitigating measures for citizens. He recalled the difficult choice the NLC had faced when the president presented them with two options: a ₦250,000 minimum wage tied to a fuel price between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000, or ₦70,000 with the old fuel price. The NLC chose the latter to avoid further hardship for Nigerians.
“Here we are, barely a month later, with no sign of the new national minimum wage, and faced with an inexplicable reality. It’s both traumatic and nightmarish,” Mr. Ajaero said on September 3.
He added, “This act of betrayal is consistent with the behavior of this government. We remember the assurances we were given by the National Assembly leadership regarding the 250% tariff hike—assurances that the issue had been addressed. Instead of a reversal, the rates have been increased further, putting even more Nigerians and businesses at risk.”
