A civil society group, Nigeria Integrity Watch (NIW), has demanded the removal Joe Ajero as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, accusing him of misusing his office and engaging in partisan politics. The group’s call comes amid misguided press statement released by the NLC President Joe Ajero regarding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement released Friday, NIW’s national convener, Dr. John Samuel Nangi, alleged that Ajaero’s direct intervention on behalf of the suspended senator has compromised the NLC’s credibility and impartiality. According to the statement, the NLC has “meddled in the legislature’s internal affairs” by publicly criticizing the Senate for not readmitting the senator after her six-month suspension.
NIW argued that Ajaero, as a “comrade,” should respect the legal and parliamentary processes. The group pointed out that since the case is before a court of law, it should be handled by the judiciary, not through public pressure. Furthermore, NIW stressed that since the senator was suspended during a plenary session, her reinstatement can only be decided during another plenary session, in accordance with Senate rules.
The civil society organization expressed dismay that Ajaero, who has not publicly urged the suspended senator to comply with a court order, is now asking the Senate to disregard its own rules. “It’s unfortunate that the NLC is now encouraging disobedience to court pronouncements,” the statement read.
Earlier this week,Ajero had denounced the Senate’s position as “a descent into legislative dictatorship and democratic anarchy,” arguing that the suspension had expired. NIW labeled this stance as inappropriate and accused the union of overstepping its bounds.
NIW also stated that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has allegedly failed to comply with a Federal High Court ruling that reportedly requires her to issue a public apology and pay a ₦5 million fine. The group further accused her of misrepresenting both the court ruling and Senate rules to the public.
Calling for Ajaero’s immediate removal, NIW stated that he has “lowered the bar of leadership” and turned the NLC into a “one-man organization.” The group urged all arms of the NLC to “rise up to this challenge and purge itself of this bad leader.”
The statement concluded by noting that it was the senator, not the Senate, who sought an appeal, and that the legislature should be allowed to resolve the matter in plenary. NIW warned that the Ajero continued public involvement could escalate political tensions and damage its reputation for independence.
