Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, penned a long and impassioned statement over accusations of human rights violations against Nigeria’s leadership by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom on Tuesday.

The presidency’s statement described the TUC’s accusations as “unfounded”. It went on to mention former US president Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, while trying to compare Nigeria to the United States with regard to the rule of law.

“The Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation,” Onanuga’s statement read in part.

“Ajaero, who probably considers himself above the law, was slated to speak at the same conference where the UK TUC leader attacked Nigeria. His actions, however, have serious consequences, as no one is above the law in Nigeria.

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STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENTNIGERIA, A COUNTRY GOVERNED BY LAW, CATEGORICALLY DENIES ANY HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSEThe Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom opened its conference today in London, with its leader making false claims about human rights abuses and violations in…— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) September 10, 2024

“In the United States, for example, former President Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous investigations and prosecutions in courts in several states since he left office. Mr Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, has been the subject of a lawful investigation by the FBI.

“We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.”

At the opening session of the 2024 trade congress in the UK, and moments before Keir Starmer, UK’s prime minister, was invited to address the gathering on Tuesday, one of the TUC UK leaders had taken time to condemn the Nigerian government over Ajaero’s arrest.

These were the words, spoken in the hearing of the British prime minister, that forced a defensive response from the presidency.

Credit: Liborous Oshoma

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“[sic]…the intimidation of him (Ajaero) and his NLC colleagues by the Nigerian government. Joe was released last night, but it is clear that his ordeal is not yet over,” the leader said.

“His unlawful arrest is a gross violation of fundamental trade union freedom, and in arresting him on his way to speak to us of the essential trade union rights to seek solidarity [sic].

“Nigeria’s trade union still has our solidarity. We condemn the actions of the Nigerian government and demand that they end their persecution of Joe Ajaero.”

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State security personnel arrested Ajaero on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, while on his way to the UK to attend the congress.

Apart from serving as a group committed to protecting and promoting the rights and interests of workers, pensioners and trade unions in Nigeria, the NLC also advocates for a democratic nation.

The pressure group is well-known for its constant protests against unfavourable and anti-people government policies.

In August, the police raided the NLC headquarters in Abuja over claims that its members sponsored the #EndBadGovernance protest. The protest saw Nigerians take to the streets in several states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to express their displeasure against the soaring cost of living.
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