Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, has criticized the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for extending an invitation to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, over allegations of terrorism financing.
The police issued the invitation on Monday in connection with accusations of criminal conspiracy and terrorism financing, which has sparked widespread outrage. The NLC has threatened nationwide strikes and protests if Ajaero is arrested.
In a reaction to the situation, Ugochinyere, who also serves as the chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, called for the withdrawal of the police’s invitation to Ajaero.
He argued that the police should redirect their efforts toward addressing the country’s escalating insecurity rather than targeting the NLC President.
Ugochinyere stated, “Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC President didn’t commit any terrorism or murder challenge, drop it, so you don’t bring people back on the street and create confusion for the President. If you want to help President Tinubu go and chase out these bandits in the forest. Find out why crude oil is still being stolen. You don’t help the President by inviting the NLC President and accusing him of murder and treason. Stop it!!!!! The President needs help, there’s insecurity, that’s why there’s economic hardship, that’s why food products are high. That’s the real terror that you need to deal with not Comrade Ajaero.”
He emphasized that the current focus should be on enhancing security and addressing critical issues such as oil theft and banditry. Drawing from his own experiences with the police, Ugochinyere expressed his belief that the invitation to Ajaero was unwarranted and called for a shift in priorities.
“I have to advise the Nigerian police, there’s no basis for this now, what Nigerians need now is more enhanced security, more involvement of security agencies in quelling security challenges across all parts of the country instead of inviting the President of Nigerian Labour Congress for a chat over his involvement in terrorism. These are old strategies that people can decode,” Ugochinyere said.
He urged the Inspector General of Police to focus on combating criminal activities and improving overall security, stating, “The biggest thing I know you can do for the President that I know you love is to find a way to energize the police force to go after all these criminal elements in different parts of the country.”