NUEE, NUPTE threaten to shut down National grid, telecom services if Ajaero is arrested
Workers in Nigeria’s telecommunications and electricity sectors have warned they will shut down the National grid and telecom services at midnight on Wednesday, August 21, if Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is arrested.
The threat was communicated in separate notices on Tuesday, August 20, by Dominic Igwebike of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and Mary Nwosu of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE).
The warning follows a police summons sent to Ajaero on Monday, August 19, asking him to report on Tuesday regarding alleged connections to terrorism financing and other accusations. Ajaero responded that the invitation was received too late and has rescheduled to Wednesday, August 29.
In response, NUEE and NUPTE have declared their intention to strike if Ajaero is detained. The NUEE, which represents workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, stated: “If the NLC President or any other Labour Leader is arrested, all workers will cease operations starting from midnight, August 21, 2024.”
NUPTE, representing postal and telecom workers, has echoed NUEE’s stance. The NLC also announced it will initiate a nationwide strike if Ajaero is arrested.
This follows a similar situation on June 3, when the National grid was disrupted due to an indefinite strike.
