Obasanjo Under Fire! NLC Alleges His Administration Jailed Union Leaders, Ordered Protester Killings

In a statement titled “Under Saint Matthew of Owu,” NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized Obasanjo’s remarks as misleading and unfair, particularly the claim that labour leaders had prioritized personal interests over workers’ welfare during negotiations.

Ajaero responded to Obasanjo’s claims in his book, Nigeria: Past and Future, where the former president alleged that labour leaders had been compromised and had failed to uphold workers’ rights. Ajaero clarified that the NLC’s demand had always been ₦610,000 as the minimum wage, but the government, alongside the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), countered with a much lower offer of ₦50,000, leading to a deadlock.

“We had asked for ₦610,000, which we had described as the barest acceptable minimum, complete with a breakdown. The government’s counteroffer of ₦50,000 was made without any justification for how it was determined,” Ajaero stated.

The deadlock resulted in a nationwide strike, which was only suspended after President Tinubu intervened and proposed a ₦70,000 wage. While acknowledging that this amount was still inadequate, Ajaero explained that the NLC accepted it to reduce the immediate suffering of workers, as rejecting it could have led to worse economic conditions.

Obasanjo’s Criticism of Labour Leaders’ Political Aspirations

In his book, Obasanjo claimed that many labour leaders were driven by personal political ambitions, making them ineffective compared to the movement’s founding vision.

Rejecting this claim, Ajaero stated that accepting the ₦70,000 wage was a strategic decision taken in the best interest of workers. “It was a tough call, but we agreed to ₦70,000 to prevent greater hardship. The offer also came with incentives like CNG buses and free vehicle conversion kits for workers,” he added.

Ajaero Accuses Obasanjo of Suppressing Labour Unions

Ajaero countered Obasanjo’s remarks by calling on the former president to reflect on his own administration’s actions against labour unions. He accused Obasanjo of weakening union power by suppressing union activities, arresting and detaining labour leaders, and even attempting to outlaw the NLC.

“If Chief Obasanjo has observed a decline in the strength of trade unions, he should do some soul-searching. He may find himself culpable—from the arrest and detention of union leaders to the killing of protesting workers, and his infamous national broadcast where he accused unions of acting like a parallel government,” Ajaero asserted.

He further recalled how Obasanjo’s administration tried to create a rival labour centre after failing to dissolve the NLC, adding, “And above all, his vengeful plot to proscribe the Nigeria Labour Congress. When that failed, he engineered the formation of a parallel labour body. We also remember how he punished parliamentarians like Honourable Obete Obete for refusing to do his bidding.”

Ajaero concluded by urging governments to stop undermining labour unions for political interests, emphasizing that the NLC has consistently faced intimidation, harassment, and legal battles in its fight for workers’ rights.

“Governments should stop weakening unions for selfish reasons. Despite harassment, intimidation, and legal threats, we will continue to fight for Nigerian workers,” Ajaero affirmed.