The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has issued a strong condemnation of Mr. Joe Ajaero, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), for his misuse of the NLC platform to further his personal and political interests. The NDYC expressed deep concern over Mr. Ajaero’s actions, which they argue are a clear departure from the primary mission of the NLC—to protect and promote the rights of Nigerian workers.
The NDYC specifically criticized Mr. Ajaero’s recent attempts to frame himself as a victim of government policies, particularly regarding the recent fuel price hike. While the NDYC acknowledges the burden that the fuel price increase places on Nigerians, they argue that it was an unavoidable measure given the current economic climate. The organization accused Mr. Ajaero of using this issue as a pretext to push his political agenda, rather than genuinely advocating for the interests of Nigerian workers.
The NDYC also highlighted Mr. Ajaero’s troubling pattern of injecting his personal political affiliations into NLC activities. They pointed to his involvement in the gubernatorial elections in Imo State as a particularly egregious example, arguing that such actions risk inflaming political tensions and tarnishing the NLC’s reputation. The NDYC emphasized that the NLC, as a representative body for workers, should remain neutral and focused solely on labor issues, rather than being used as a tool for political maneuvering.
In addition, the NDYC expressed grave concern over allegations that Mr. Ajaero has attempted to involve the NLC in his personal legal challenges. These allegations include claims that Mr. Ajaero conspired with a foreign national, Andrew Wynne, who is now wanted for attempting to overthrow a democratically elected government. The NDYC stressed that these legal matters are personal to Mr. Ajaero and should not be allowed to embroil the NLC in scandal. They called on Mr. Ajaero to face these charges as an individual and not use the NLC as a shield to evade accountability.
The NDYC urged the leadership of the NLC and labor leaders across Nigeria to act to protect the integrity of the Congress. They reminded Mr. Ajaero that the NLC is not his personal tool for political or legal battles, but an institution dedicated to the welfare of Nigerian workers. The NDYC also called on Mr. Ajaero to stop using the NLC to pursue his personal ambitions, emphasizing that Nigerians are increasingly aware of his tactics and will no longer tolerate the politicization of the labor movement.
In conclusion, the NDYC reiterated its call for the NLC to return to its core mission of advocating for workers’ rights, free from personal and political interference. The NDYC remains committed to supporting the true purpose of the NLC and ensuring that it remains focused on the needs of Nigerian workers.