But here’s where things get interesting. The Labour union wasn’t having it. They issued a strong warning, threatening to rally their affiliate unions and stage a nationwide strike if Ajaero wasn’t released before the clock struck midnight. In short, the union wasn’t about to let this slide quietly.
Now, it’s worth noting that Ajaero’s release came after he wrote a statement, but it’s clear that the looming threat of a large-scale industrial showdown played a big role in the DSS’s decision to release him on bail.
Whether this marks the end of the clash or the beginning of a larger conversation between the government and Labour remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: the union has made its message clear—there will be no hesitation in standing up when their leaders are involved.
This situation, while resolved for now, raises larger questions about the relationship between the government and Labour unions in Nigeria. Ajaero’s detention touched a nerve, and the swift reaction from the union suggests that this won’t be the last time tensions flare up. What does this say about the future of government-union negotiations in the country? That’s a conversation worth having.