Adekunle described as ill-conceived and diversionary, the call by the Arewa youth for the arrest and prosecution of the NLC President.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A group, Nigeria Youth Alliance, has condemned in strong terms comments credited to the Arewa Youths Assembly against the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), alleging that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero plans to scuttle the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
National coordinator of Nigeria Youth Alliance, Toheeb Adekunle, while reacting to the allegations in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the attention of its organisation has been drawn to the content of a press conference addressed by Arewa Youths Assembly led by Ali Muhammad.
He described as ill-conceived and diversionary, the call by the Arewa youth for the arrest and prosecution of the NLC President, while also condemning the politicisation of everything including the May Day celebration where the Arewa youth alleged that only Peter Obi was invited to the Eagle Square to the exclusion of other candidates in the 2023 presidential election.
Adekunle said he was also miffed by the allegation that Ajaero is working with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to actualise the presidential ambition of Mr Obi of Labour Party and that Ajaero is using the NLC to promote Biafran agenda among others allegations.
“We want to state that these allegations are cheap blackmail intended to divert the attention of the leadership of the Congress from its obligation or mission to the people.
“We wish to reiterate that the Nigeria Labour Congress is a pan-Nigerian organisation not governed by primordial sentiments such as ethnicity or religion. More over, Comrade Joe Ajaero has not employed any one since he resumed office as President of the Congress. Neither has he accepted a gift of an SUV bulletproof van from any one,” Adekunle stated.
He further added, “Ajaero is a law-abiding citizen and a stickler for the separation and expression of powers of which the judiciary is one. In light of this, he does not believe in intimidation of judges but nonetheless holds the view that corrupt judges should be put in their place.
“Neither Ajaero nor NLC has any plan to scuttle the inauguration of Senator Bola Tinubu. Those who make this allegation forget that Ajaero was among the first leaders of thought to advise aggrieved parties to go to court.
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“More amusing is the allegation that Mr Peter Obi was invited to the commemoration of May Day to the exclusion of other presidential candidates.
“The records are there for all to see that all the candidates were invited. However, the right to honour this invitation resided with the invitees.
“It is childish and unreasonable for anyone reasonable acting reasonably to accuse Comrades Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja of pursuing ethnic agenda at the Congress let alone IPOB.
“The public pronouncements of Comrade Joe Ajaero and conduct have been in the fine traditions of the past leaders of the Congress some of whom were even more fiery or combative. To therefore, label and profile him as an ethnicist is not only criminal but suggestive of fear of Ajaero in some quarters.
“However, those in mortal fear of Ajaero are the ones that constitute a threat to our national security for the are the ones with something to hide.
“In spite of their vitriol and blackmail, Ajaero will not back down but will continue to act, speak and lead the Congress with fear of God and in line with the fine traditions of lawful and patriotic protest.
“He shall be doing so in consultation with his colleagues in leadership and partnership with Civil Society. Already initiatives are on to revive and strengthen LASCO a broad-based coalition between organised labour and Civil Society. Three conveners (Messrs Olisa Agbakoba and Nkoyo Toyo) have been working assiduously in pursuance of this. In the fullness of time, Congress leadership will not only co-convene but co-chair.
“As for Arewa Youths Assembly, there are too many phoney organisations in search of bread and butter. They are floating character assassins waiting for hire for pittance.”
