The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed accusations of human rights violations made by the UK’s Trade Union Congress (TUC) as “unfounded and based on a misunderstanding”.
The TUC’s General Secretary, Paul Nowak, had condemned the Nigerian government over the arrest and detention of Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, at Abuja’s international airport on Monday.
However, the Presidency argued that Ajaero’s arrest was not without cause, as he had disregarded an invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement, President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Ajaero’s actions have “serious consequences” and that “no one is above the law in Nigeria”.
Onanuga cited examples of investigations and prosecutions of high-profile individuals in the US, including former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
The Presidency denied any adversarial relationship between the government and labour movement, saying it has consistently shown readiness to engage with labour despite political partisanship.
The statement concluded that the government recognizes the labour movement’s role in protecting workers’ interests but accused Nigeria’s labour unions of compromising citizens’ well-being with ideological stances that stunt economic growth.
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