The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has condemned Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Joe Ajaero for his continued exploitation of the NLC platform for personal and political agendas, urging him to refocus on the core mission of the Congress—advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers. The NDYC stated that Mr. Ajaero’s actions undermine the credibility of the NLC and jeopardize the trust Nigerian workers place in the institution.
In their statement, the NDYC expressed concern over Mr. Ajaero’s repeated efforts to politicize the NLC’s activities. The NDYC criticized Mr. Ajaero’s recent attempts to present himself as a champion of the people in light of the fuel price increase, which has caused significant hardship for many Nigerians. While the NDYC acknowledged the difficulties caused by the price hike, they argued that Mr. Ajaero’s public outcry was more about promoting his political interests than advocating for the welfare of the working class. The NDYC emphasized that the NLC should be working constructively with the government to find solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges, rather than using crises to score political points.
The NDYC also condemned Mr. Ajaero’s involvement in political matters, particularly during the Imo State gubernatorial elections, accusing him of using the NLC as a tool to further his political affiliations. They stressed that the NLC should remain apolitical and committed to serving the interests of Nigerian workers, warning that any deviation from this could damage the Congress’s reputation and reduce its effectiveness as a labor advocate.
Additionally, the NDYC voiced its concern over the legal allegations against Mr. Ajaero, including accusations of conspiring with a foreign national to undermine Nigeria’s government. The NDYC called on Mr. Ajaero to address these allegations as an individual and not involve the NLC in his personal legal troubles. They emphasized that the NLC must not be used as a shield for Mr. Ajaero’s personal challenges and that he should face the legal consequences of his actions if found guilty.
In its concluding remarks, the NDYC called on all Nigerian labor leaders to defend the integrity of the NLC and prevent it from being misused for personal or political purposes. They reminded Mr. Ajaero that the NLC’s mission is to serve the welfare of Nigerian workers and that any attempt to politicize or misuse the Congress would not be tolerated. The NDYC reiterated its commitment to upholding the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and urged the NLC leadership to take immediate action to preserve the integrity of the institution.