The Nigerian Presidency has formally addressed recent allegations made by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom regarding human rights abuses in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency vehemently denied the claims, describing them as “false, unfounded, and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.”
The statement highlighted that the TUC‘s allegations stem from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, allegedly ignoring several invitations from law enforcement agencies. According to the Nigerian government, Ajaero’s refusal to cooperate with these agencies is at the heart of the accusations being made abroad.
The Presidency detailed the background of the dispute, noting that the NLC had previously opposed the sale of the Port-Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries to the Dangote Group in 2007. However, the same organization later praised the Dangote refinery upon its completion in Lagos in 2024.
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“The Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom opened its conference today in London, with its leader making false claims about human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria,” the statement read. “The Nigerian government was wrongly accused of rights abuse because NLC President Joe Ajaero was prevented from traveling abroad after snubbing an invitation from a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation.”
The statement emphasized that no individual, including Ajaero, is above the law in Nigeria. It underscored that the Nigerian Constitution mandates compliance with law enforcement and investigation processes, akin to practices in other democratic nations.
“We are not aware of any trade union leaders in the UK or Europe who would disregard invitations or summons from agencies such as MI5, Scotland Yard, or the FBI with the level of disdain Mr. Ajaero has shown,” the statement added. It also referenced the investigations involving prominent figures in the United States, including former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, to illustrate the principle of accountability.
The Nigerian government affirmed its commitment to upholding civil liberties and human rights under President Bola Tinubu, who is recognized as a pro-democracy activist. The statement further clarified that there is no adversarial relationship between the Nigerian government and the labor movement, despite occasional policy disagreements.
“Contrary to the erroneous impression being created, the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero is unrelated to his role as NLC President. As a responsible citizen, Mr. Ajaero should honor such invitations and address any issues through the proper channels instead of fueling negative public sentiment against our security agencies.”
The Presidency concluded by reiterating its rejection of the human rights violations claims and reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to being governed by the rule of law.
The controversy began when TUC leader, during the union’s conference in London, accused the Nigerian government of systemic human rights violations. Onanuga’s statement described the TUC’s claims as misleading. He argued that Ajaero’s refusal to comply with legal processes has been misinterpreted by the TUC as evidence of human rights abuses.
Adding to the narrative, analysts and commentators have noted that the friction between the Nigerian government and labor unions often reflects deeper socio-political undercurrents. The tension surrounding labor rights and government policies highlights the broader struggle between economic reforms and workers’ interests.
Despite the contentious nature of the current dispute, the Presidency has reaffirmed its stance on the importance of law and order. “There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government,” the statement concluded. “While labor unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labor despite the latter’s political partisanship.”
