File: Ajaero, Femi Falana (SAN) and others honouring an earlier invitation in August.
By Victor AhiumaYoung
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has described as untrue and mischievous reports that its President, Joe Ajaero, was invited by the Department of State Services, DSS, but failed honour the invitation, leading to his arrest.
The NLC said it was not in Ajaero’s character to disregard invitations and precedents attest to his regards for authorities.
Recall that Ajaero was arrested and detained by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to London to attend a conference of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of UK.
Following the uproar that greeted the DSS action, the Presidency said no one was above the law. Also, the government said, Ajaero should have honoured the security agency’s invitation.
Furthermore, the narrative that Ajaero snubbed the DSS invitation gained traction, prompting the NLC to react and “set the records straight”.
‘He was never invited’
NLC, in the statement by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a story (circulating in different media platforms) linked to ‘sources within the agency (DSS)’ that preceding his arrest, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was invited by the DSS but that he did not honour the invitation.
“The ‘sources’ further added that it was reason for his arrest at the airport on his way to the UK.
“In the days preceding his arrest, Congress President had had a discussion with the Director-General, DG, DSS on a courtesy visit.
“A Director in the agency later called the General Secretary of the Congress on the need to fix a date for the courtesy visit. The General Secretary however explained to him that he would not be available until Friday (September 13).
