Nigeria’s labour movement and progressive groups have been thrown into mourning following the shocking death of Comrade Abiodun Aremu, a fearless workers’ rights advocate and revered ideological mentor.
Aremu, 65, was reportedly killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sunday, October 12, 2025, near his residence in Ota, Ogun State, around 6 p.m. The tragic incident occurred as he was crossing the road in his Ifo neighbourhood.
In a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described his death as “a tragic loss not only for the organised labour movement but for all Nigerians, especially the downtrodden, who drew strength from his lifelong struggle for justice and equality.”
Ajaero hailed Aremu as “a titan of class struggle, an organic intellectual of the working people, and a true internationalist whose life fused revolutionary theory with concrete action.”
He recalled Aremu’s pivotal role in the formation of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) and the Joint Action Front (JAF) — alliances that strengthened unity between organised labour and the masses.
The NLC, however, raised concerns over the nature of his death, demanding a full-scale investigation by both federal and state authorities.
“The so-called hit-and-run bears suspicious similarities to the mysterious death of another comrade, Patrick Naagbanton. We demand a transparent probe into this heinous act,” the statement read.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) also paid tribute, describing Aremu as “the conscience of the struggle and an irreplaceable pillar of workers’ liberation.”
In a joint statement by President Prince Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union praised his “visionary leadership” and enduring contributions to platforms such as LASCO and the Kolagbodi Memorial Foundation.
Similarly, the Afrikan Movement for Freedom and Justice (AMFJ) eulogised Aremu as a “beacon of ideological clarity and a true Pan-Africanist.”
Its leader, Afrikanus Ande, noted that Aremu—fondly called Aremson—“rekindled the fading flame of revolutionary thought among students, workers, and peasants.”
The group added: “If Nigeria had five Aremsons, the revolution would have long been achieved.”
Aremu’s death marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s radical labour movement — a movement he helped shape with passion, courage, and unwavering commitment to the oppressed.
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