Organised Labour has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it may be forced to take decisive actions that could disrupt national economic activities if the proclamation is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe.
The threat was made in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor; State Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ikechukwu Onyefuru; and Chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Chuku Emecheta.
The labour unions raised concerns over the legality, economic implications, and overall consequences of the federal government’s actions, describing the state of emergency declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members as premature and unjustified.
The unions stressed that these officials were freely elected by the people of Rivers State, and any attempt to remove them outside constitutional processes undermines democracy. They demanded that the actions be reversed to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.
The statement highlighted the immediate hardship the state of emergency has caused to local government workers, many of whom have not been paid their salaries, exacerbating their economic struggles, especially amid rising living costs.
Organised Labour further warned that the state of emergency could have severe economic consequences, given Rivers State’s critical role in Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region. They argued that instability in the state, compounded by inflation, naira devaluation, and high unemployment, could worsen the nation’s economic situation.
The statement also pointed out that political uncertainty triggered by the state of emergency had discouraged potential investors from engaging with the state’s economic initiatives, negatively impacting its internally generated revenue (IGR) and hindering long-term economic growth and job creation.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, the unions emphasized that such actions should adhere to the Nigerian Constitution. They argued that suspending elected officials and disrupting salary payments violates fundamental rights and could exacerbate security and economic challenges.
The unions called on the Federal Government to prioritize citizens’ welfare and safety over political interests. They warned that any approach sacrificing workers’ well-being for political maneuvering would only heighten tensions and resistance.
Organised Labour urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to take immediate action to reverse the state of emergency and reinstate the suspended officials. They also recommended that the federal government engage in meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
The unions warned that failure to address the issue could escalate the situation further, intensifying the already tense political environment in the state. While urging workers to remain calm and continue their duties, the Labour leaders cautioned that they would take strategic actions if their demands were not met within a reasonable time frame, with potential consequences for national economic activities.
