CITIZENS COMPASS—United Actions For Democracy (UAD) on Friday, called on the Department of State Services (DSS), to release the leader of Federal Workers Forum (FWF), Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze, from its custody.
The Group in a press statement signed by its General Secretary, Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, kicked against the arrest.
“On July 3rd, the Department of State Security (DSS) arrested Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) for the second time. He was first arrested on June 30th, the eve of the planned national protest of the FWF over minimum wage and wage awards.
“The Federal government has been defaulting all the while on the payment of the minimum wage. The same government was forced to only pay one-month wage awards after the national protests of the Federal Workers all over the country. The protests were mobilized and coordinated by a National Team led by Comrade Andrew Emelieze and Secretary Itoro Obong.
“After paying for just the one-month wage awards, the FG has refused to pay further and has even refused to pay the new 70k minimum wage. It must be noted that most States are paying something close to the new minimum wage, except the Federal government. This has made Federal Workers to organize and rise, especially as the unions in the NLC and TUC have failed to do the needful.
“We in the United Actions For Democracy (UAD) call for the immediate release of Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and demand a halt to his hunting down by the DSS.
“We also use this opportunity to call for the immediate release of Comrade Aghogho, the Child Rights Advocate and member of the TakeItBack Movement in Delta State whose bail has been unlawfully revoked.
“The actions of Federal and State actors including individuals like Pastor Enenche in arresting anyone who says or does anything against their acts and wills is not only anti-democratic but alarming. We call on Nigerians to rise and demand an end to these evil attacks on freedom of Speech and organizations.
“UAD finally gives the DSS 48 hours to release Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze. Else, we will take radical actions!”
