Natasha Saga: NLC President Under Fire over Comment on Kogi Senator’s Suspension
- A Civil Society Organisation, Nigeria Integrity Watch (NIW), has called for the removal of NLC president Joe Ajaero
- The group, in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, accused Ajaero of abusing his office by threatening the Senate with a nationwide resistance over a matter involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the National Assembly
- The group said Ajero was dragging the labour movement into a political battle that undermines its credibility
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
A civil society group, Nigeria Integrity Watch (NIW), has demanded the removal of Joe Ajaero as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, accusing him of misusing his office and engaging in partisan politics.
The group's call came amid what it described as a "misguided press statement" released by the NLC president, Ajaero, relating to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Source: Facebook
In a statement released Friday, September 12, 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 criticising 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 organisation 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.
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"It’s unfortunate that the NLC is now encouraging disobedience to court pronouncements," the statement read.
Recall that Ajaero had denounced the Senate's position as "a descent into legislative dictatorship and democratic anarchy," arguing that the suspension had expired.
NIW accuses Ajaro-led NLC of overstepping its bounds
Reacting on Friday, NIW labelled Ajaero's 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 N5 million fine.
Buttressing its point, the group further accused the Kogi senator of misrepresenting both the court ruling and Senate rules to the public.
NLC told to purge itself of bad leader
Calling for Ajaero's immediate removal, NIW stated that he has "lowered the bar of leadership" and turned the NLC into a "one-man organisation." The group urged all arms of the NLC to "rise up to this challenge and purge itself of this bad leader."
NIW also warned that Ajaero's continued public involvement could escalate political tensions and damage its reputation for independence.
"It was the senator, not the Senate, who sought an appeal, and that the legislature should be allowed to resolve the matter in plenary," The statement concluded.
Read more about Natasha here:
- Natasha resumes Senate after London trip - Lawyer
- Natasha vs Akpabio: “Why Senate cannot recall Kogi lawmaker,” Lawyer explains
- Natasha vs Senate: Lawyer explains why Kogi senator can’t enforce court judgement
- Court grants Natasha bail on fresh charge
Senate gets ultimatum to facilitate Natasha's resumption
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the counsel to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, has written to the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), KaKamorudeen Ogunlana.
He demanded that the senator be allowed to resume her legislative duties following the expiration of her suspension.
In a letter dated September 10, Numa stated that if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is not recalled by Monday, September 15, 2025, his client will initiate legal proceedings against the Clerk both in his official and personal capacity.
Source: Legit.ng
