Nigerian workers threaten to shut down the national grid and telecom services if NLC President Joe Ajaero is arrested over alleged terrorism financing links. Unions NUEE and NUPTE warn of immediate strikes, raising concerns about potential economic disruptions as tensions escalate ahead of a scheduled police meeting.
Tensions are escalating in Nigeria as workers in the telecommunications and electricity sectors have issued a warning to shut down the national grid and telecom services if Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is arrested by the police. This threat was communicated through separate notices from the General Secretaries of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE).
The police summoned Ajaero for questioning concerning alleged links to terrorism financing. In response, he declined the invitation due to its late notice but agreed to meet with the police on Wednesday, August 29.
Both NUEE and NUPTE have made it clear that any arrest will lead to immediate action from their members. NUEE’s notice explicitly stated, “Upon any arrest of the NLC President or any other Labour Leader, all workers are to cease operations starting from midnight on August 21, 2024.”
The NLC has indicated that it will initiate a nationwide strike if Ajaero is detained, a move that could significantly disrupt Nigeria’s economy, which relies heavily on the electricity and telecommunications sectors. Past strikes have already demonstrated the potential for severe interruptions; in June, an indefinite strike led to a nationwide blackout, halting services across the country.
As the midnight deadline approaches, the situation remains tense, with unions expressing their commitment to demanding accountability and transparency in government actions. The outcome of this confrontation is likely to impact labor relations and economic conditions in Nigeria for the foreseeable future.
