SaharaReporters reported on June 30 how the DSS arrested and detained Emelieze when workers planned a protest over the government's alleged insincerity in implementing the minimum wage. 

A human rights activist and National Secretary of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Francis Nwapa has demanded immediate release of Comrade Andrew Emelieze, Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum, who was rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for mobilising federal workers to demand the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.

SaharaReporters reported on June 30 how the DSS arrested and detained Emelieze when workers planned a protest over the government's alleged insincerity in implementing the minimum wage. 

He was released after public outcry but has now been rearrested, and detained prompting renewed calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

However, in a statement on Saturday, Nwapa criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for remaining silent on Emelieze's arrest. 

Nwapa accused the labour centre leaderships of being "in bed" with the Tinubu-led APC regime, betraying workers' interests, and undermining democratic rights.

The activist demanded Emelieze's immediate release and an end to the violation of workers' rights to protest. 

"We condemn this use of state institutions to intimidate Nigerians exercising their democratic rights," Nwapa said. 

According to the statement, the YRC is calling for a halt to the intimidation of workers and the protection of their rights to demand better working conditions, including the implementation of the minimum wage.

Titled: "stop the intimidation of workers to protest insincerity of government in the implementation of the inflation overshadowed N70, 000 Minimum Wage," the statement partly read: "While the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime continues to intimidate Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the coordinator of Federal Workers Forum for mobilizing Federal Workers in Abuja to demand implementation of the outdated, inflation overshadowed N70, 000 minimum wage, the Ajaero led NLC and Osifor Led TUC leaderships has kept mute. 

"An attitude of the testament that the leadership of the two labour centers are in bed with the Capitalist and oppressive regime of the Tinubu-led APC regime.

"Comrade Andrew was initially arrested by the DSS when they planned a protest and was released after public condemnation, now he has been rearrested by the DSS.

"We condemn this use of state institutions to intimidate Nigerians exercising their democratic Rights. We also condemn the betrayal of the two labour centers in the face of workers exploitation and undermining of democratic Rights in Nigeria.

"We demand the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Andrew Emelieze Now and a hault to the violation of his Rights and that of other workers to protest."

The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics accusing the Tinubu-led administration of intimidating workers and undermining their democratic rights.