NLC To Onanuga: An Overzealous Hireling Trying To Gain His Principal’s Confidenc
to Joe Ajaero? Before he became Congress President, he never bothered himself with the affairs of Imo State or any state for that matter except it was the decision of Congress organs.
It is in light of this we would want the world to know that Onanuga’ s sadistic comment is a Freudian slip as this is the way his principals view the Imo State tripple-digit tragedy: the non-payment of workers/pensioners benefits; the choking/stifling environment that leaves workers and citizens gasping for air; the license for impunity that covers murder and attempted murder of dissenting voices including Comrade Joe Ajaero which the Nigerian State now passes off as a “personal matter”. When we first heard through the grape vine that glasses were clinked and pleasantries earthily exchanged by the powers that be following the arrest and torture of Comrade Joe Ajaero, we thought it was one of those rumours but with this confirmation from Bayo Onanuga, we now know better!
But we would want Nigerians not to succumb to the “private matter” narrative as we would wish to remind them of the famous poem, “When They Came for the Jews” ( When they came for the Jews, I said I was not a Jew; When they came for the Teachers, I said I was not a teacher….By the time they came for me there was no one left to shout…).
The arrest and “protective custody” of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigeria Police Force which led to multiple injuries to his person and psychology, is a state-sponsored act of terror not just against an individual but all of us freedom-loving Nigerians. This government is testing the waters, and what a better target than a high-profile Labour leader. If it gets away with it then who amongst us is safe?
Take heed and open your eyes and note that this systematic assault on the citizenry is being co-ordinated by a tiny clique within the government on all fronts: economic, political and social. It is total violence!
We consider it an insult to our collective intellect and sensibility when Bayo Onanuga averrs that “the Federal Government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen…[and] that the Inspector General has ordered investigation into what happened to Mr. Ajaero…”.
So the police will now be the Judge, Jury and Jailer in their own case? What a country we run! Secondly, what per chance, will the police be investigating, when the government by the admission of Onanuga has already found Ajaero guilty, arrested him, convicted him, punished him through torture for “planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike”.
We concerned Nigerians are not interested in a charade. We demand an honest and thorough investigation by competent and independent professionals (with free and unfettered access to information, people and materials) from within and outside the country. Comrade Joe Ajaero holds offices on the international circuit.
We want Bayo Onanuga and those who sent him and the police much earlier that we shall not be cowed by any body or force no matter the resources at that person’s disposal. No government can be bigger than the people over which it presides!
As for Bayo’s ranting over our so-called disobedience to a court order, he would soon know the cold truth. We would not dignify him with that explanation in this forum. Finally, hirelings who stoke the fire for their principals instead of winning for them friends, are to be kept closer!
Benson Upah
Head of Information and Public Affairs
