Ajaero: Most controversial Nigerian labour leader in history, by Kola Amzat

Since the incumbent president of the Nigerian Labor Congress assumed office barely 15 months ago, he’s involved in brawl with security agencies on more than 5 occasions.

Nigerians vividly recall the Imo state born Labor leader got himself  ENMESHED in unnecessary struggle with security agencies at Owerri in the beginning of the year, where hoodlums thoroughly rough-handled and subjected him to serious beating like a criminal, a development that almost neutralized him.

Meanwhile, at least on two occasions, the nation’s detachment of security team had been on his trail to the headquarters of Labor office in Abuja, with the most celebrated police visit been, when he was accused of harboring a well-known terrorist on the second floor of the labor office and indeed, culpability in terrorism.

There was another time when the detachment of DSS and police team trailed him to his home town in Owerri for arrest, on account of his deep involvement in Labor Party political activities.

And, then, the latest drama in Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja where he got arrested when he wanted to travel to United Kingdom for a labor event.

It’s reported that, he had bluntly refused to respond to earlier letter of invite from security agencies.      

This writer absolutely disagree with few uninformed Nigerians who are of the view that he’s been persecuted for his uncompromising stand on labor issues.

It’s instructive to submit that, Ajaero is not the only leader who has been in the forefront of struggles for the right of workers across the country.

There is also the president of Trade Union Congress (TUC), who indeed is the alternate leader of that group and, not in any way inferior or lesser in status than Ajaero.

Why has security agencies not having any axe WHATSOEVER, to grind with him? Not even once has the police authority or DSS or any other agencies have issues with him?

The fact remains that Ajaero has continually deploys the office of NLC presidency to commit illegality.  

The Labor leader erroneously believes that the office he occupies gives him liberty and freedom to involve himself in treasonable and other unwholesome activities against the country, and expects the security team to be looking other ways, because he’s the President of Labor movement.

Meanwhile, the Police Authority Act grants the force express mandate to invade any office in the land whatsoever, for the purpose of carrying out their constitutionally assigned responsibility.

It’s therefore not out of place for them to quiz or subject the Labor Leader to interrogation if he’s found to be crossing the line.

For the avoidance of doubt, his arrest could be effected anywhere across the country, and even, in foreign countries through the assistance of INTERPOL.

Therefore, few Nigerians castigating police team of his arrest at Abuja Airport are only be mischievous and misguided.  

Meanwhile, it’s also in line with the police constitutionally recognized responsibility to made away from his office any documents that they’re of the view would assist them in their investigation.

As I submitted in a Piece a couple of weeks ago, it’s only the president and governors of 36 states who enjoy immunity from constitution; not even, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives and other national assembly members.

How much more a Labour leader!

It’s apparent that Joe Ajaero has resolved to be deploying the NLC presidency to be causing unrest, pandemonium and uncertainty in the country, as well as attracting undue attention to himself.

He’s also deploying the instrumentality of the office to be settling personal scores with the government, as well as security forces.       

But, why is it that Ajaero tenure as Labor leader has been so much controversial?

Questions must be asked if the Labor leader is working in concert with a group or political associations or even foreign mercenaries to incite violence in the country.

Or does the Imo state born NLC president have political ambition? If this is the case, it’s an auspicious time for him to drop the garb of labor presidency and join a political party, with a view to slugging out with other political office contestants.

But, he must come down from his high horses, embrace and hug humility, and stop deploying the office of NLC presidency to perpetrate evils.

Meanwhile, is it not the same NLC platform Comrade Adams Oshiomole admirably deployed as the then president, to assume the office of governor in Edo State, National APC Chairman and now Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

Is it not the same NLC office late Comrade Paschal Bafyau deployed to almost ascend to the office of Vice President of the country?

Of course, the immediate past NLC president, Mr. Ayuba Wabba was a consummate labor leader, an embodiment of maturity, decorum, knowledge and decency in office!

The fact remains that Ajaero’s short tenure as NLC president has been uneventful, riotous, very disruptive and destructive and by this writer’s opinion, a BIG MINUS for dutiful and resourceful Nigerian workers, as well as all the labor blocs across the country that collaborated to install him as NLC president.         

Nigeria Labor Congress is created to advance the cause of workers across the federation, as well as intelligently, tactfully, constructively, and strategically defend the workers interests with a view to making them stakeholders in the Nigerian project, and, more importantly, collaborate with the government to build a prosperous nation.

For sure, NLC leadership is not created to continually pitch the workers across the country against the government, through continual incitement and casting doubts and aspersions on the leadership of government.

Of course, this is not how to lead labor movement of a country with vibrant and vast population of about 230-240 million people and the largest black nation in the world.

The labor movement deserve a charismatic, matured, respected, educated and well-informed, as well as labor leader with undoubted character.

Joe Ajaero obviously lacks these attributes!

This writer therefore implore and encourage all power brokers in nation’s Labor movement that the time is ripe for them to show Ajaero the way out of the labor presidency office, otherwise, he would continue to attract opprobrium, ridicule, scorn and embarrassment to the movement.   

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.