A rights group, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has called for the release of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the cessation of the siege on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The NLC headquarters has confirmed the arrest of its President, Ajaero on Monday by the Department of State Services, DSS, while police operatives have also been reported to have laid siege on SERAP’s offices.
There has been no explanation by the DSS or the Police as to why the actions became necessary.
Reacting to the developments on Monday, in an exclusive chat with our correspondent, the Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma said the arrest of Ajaero at the international airport on his way to attend an official assignment, and the siege on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the police, signal serious concerns for freedom and democracy in Nigeria.
These developments, he noted, pose a significant threat to the foundational pillars of democracy in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for vigilance and advocacy for the protection of civil liberties.
He noted that such actions undermine the ability of civil society organizations and labor unions to operate freely, stifling dissent and limiting public discourse.
“The arrests may deter individuals and organizations from speaking out against government policies or advocating for workers’ rights, leading to a chilling effect on activism.
“Encroachments by security agencies on civil society highlight a potential trend of increasing authoritarianism, undermining democratic norms and principles.
“Heavy-handed tactics by the DSS can lead to a decline in public trust in government institutions, further alienating citizens from political processes.
“Continued repression may provoke unrest and resistance among citizens, potentially leading to greater social instability and conflicts,” Nwanguma said.
The RULAAC boss called on President Bola Tinubu, to demonstrate that he does not endorse arbitrary arrests, detention incommunicado, and repression of labor and civil society actors.
Calling for the release of Ajaero and the cessation of the siege on the offices of SERAP, Nwanguma maintained that suppressing dissent and civil society can hinder the government’s accountability, as a vibrant civil society is crucial for monitoring and holding authorities accountable.
