The Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, has expressed outrage over Monday’s arrest of Mr Joe Ajaero, Presídent of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, as well as the reported raid of the SERAP’s office in Abuja by the Department of State Services.
Ajaero was arrested at the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and while the news was still fresh, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), alleged that DSS operatives had invaded its Abuja office.
In a statement on Tuesday by Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, Executive Director of CLO, the organisation described the development as “a clear dissent of President Tinubu’s regime to an absolute and full blown civilian dictatorship and fascist authoritarianism.”
Ezike said, “No explanations on his illegal arrest by the attack dogs of Presídent Tinubu were offered to Ajaero.
“The rising trend of gross violation of fundamental human rights and civil liberties of Nígerian citizens and lawful institutions since May 29, 2023, has become an issue of monumental concern to the Civil Liberties Organisation.
“From the questionable and unexplainable increases in the pump prices of petroleum products, petrol, gas and kerosene, which occasioned astronomical hike in transportation costs, school fees, foodstuffs, house rents, electricity tariffs without corresponding augmentation in the starvation wages of workers across the country, the government has resumed a regime of hounding of human rights defenders and credible, transparent and legal institutions that can interrogate or resist such heinous perpetrations into detention.”
It alleged that the intention of the government is “to cow Nígerians into submission like Joseph Desire Mobutu notoriously known and called ‘Sese Seko’ of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Paul Biya of Cameroun, Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, Francisco Marcia Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Siad Barre of Somalia, Omar Al-bashir of Sudan and killer Idi Amin Dada of Uganda did.
“In the face of this grave threats, the onus lies on the CLO and co-human rights movements, both local and international, labour unions, men and women of conscience, Nígerians in Diaspora and the international community to rise up to the occasion and diligently work to stem down this wilful conspiracy against our society and people.
“The time is now. It is regrettable that while bandits were kidnapping nurses and patients in a Kaduna hospital same Monday, Tinubu agents were quizzing an armless and law abiding NLC leader and invading SERAP’s office. What a shame and clear case of a failed state.
“The Civil Liberties Organisation totally condemns these impudent violation of human rights by Nigerian authorities and insist that Nígeria must be free and our people must have food in the midst of lavishing plenty to eat and their fundamental human rights which are attributes of accountable and constitutional democracy to enjoy.”
Meanwhile, the DSS in a statement released on Tuesday, said “The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices in Abuja and Lagos.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the records, a team of two (2) unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and does not in any way amount to illegality or raid.
“While it assures in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.
“The DSS, therefore, urges the public to disregard these false narratives as it restates its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate.”
Ajaero, SERAP: Nigeria sliding into fascist civilian authoritarianism – CLO