NLC speaks on ‘plot’ by Ajaero to scuttle Tinubu’s inauguration

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described allegations that its President, Joe Ajaero was plotting to stop the May 29, 2023 inauguration of President -Elect, Bola Tinubu as cheap blackmail.

A group which described itself as the Arewa Youth Assembly made the allegation in a recent petition to security agencies.

The Arewa Youth Assembly, had also accused Ajaero of using the NLC as a platform to achieve his Biafra agenda.

The group alleged Ajaero and his secretary general received one bullet proof SUV car each worth N1billion to sabotage the planned workers strike against the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The group had consequently asked the security agencies to immediately arrest Joe Ajaero, to stop the alleged plot to frustrate inauguration of President-Elect.

However, while reacting to the allegation, the NLC, in a statement by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said neither Ajaero nor the NLC had any plan to scuttle the inauguration of the President-Elect.

The Congress added that those who made the allegation were mere cowards with allegiance to their bottomless stomachs, bargaining chip for political appointments.

NLC noted that Ajaero was among the first leaders of thoughts to advise aggrieved parties to go to court.

The Congress also claimed that Ajaero as a law-abiding citizen and a stickler for the separation and expression of powers does not believe in intimidation of judges,
but holds the view that corrupt judges should be put in their place.

NLC also said Ajaero has not employed any one since he resumed office as President of the Congress, neither has he accepted a gift of an SUV bulletproof van from any one.

The statement reads in part: “As for their promoters or sponsors, they are cowards with allegiance to nothing in life except their bottomless stomachs.
We know why they did this; bargaining chip for appointments. We wish them goodluck as life goes in full circle.

“More amusing is the allegation that Peter Obi was invited to the commemoration of May Day to the exclusion of other presidential candidates. The records are there for all to see that all the candidates were invited. However, the right to honour this invitation resided with the invitees.

“To, therefore, label and profile him as an ethicist is not only criminal but suggestive of fear of Ajaero in some quarters. However, those in mortal fear of Ajaero are the ones that constitute a threat to our national security for they are the ones with something to hide.

“In spite of their vitriol and blackmail, Ajaero will not back down but will continue to act, speak and lead the Congress with fear of God and in line with the fine traditions of lawful and patriotic protest.

“As for Arewa Youths Assembly, there are too many phony organisations in search of bread and butter. They are floating character assassins waiting for hire for pittance. We will not waste our time on them except to point out that they have only succeeded in denigrating the name Arewa, which sadly has been franchised for pecuniary benefits.”