JUST IN: Organised labour threatens action over emergency rule in Rivers

The Organised Labour has threatened to disrupt the nation’s economic activities if the federal government does not reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.

The warning was conveyed through a statement jointly signed by Alex Agwanwor, Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Ikechukwu Onyefuru, State Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC); and Chuku Emecheta, Chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC).

The unions expressed grave concerns over the legality, economic impact, and broader consequences of the federal government’s actions.

They criticized the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly, describing the move as premature and without merit.

According to the union leaders, the people of Rivers State freely elected these officials, and any attempt to remove them outside of constitutional processes undermines the foundation of democracy in Nigeria.

The unions insisted that such actions must be reversed to uphold the integrity of the country’s democratic system.

They also highlighted the immediate financial strain caused by the emergency rule, with local government workers in the state reportedly unpaid, pushing many into economic hardship at a time when living costs are already soaring.

The labour leaders warned that the ongoing state of emergency could have severe economic repercussions, stressing Rivers State’s crucial role in Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region.

“Given the nation’s current challenges—such as inflation, currency devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment, and increasing living costs—the unions cautioned that further instability in Rivers could exacerbate the economic crisis nationwide.”

The statement also noted that the political uncertainty generated by the state of emergency has led to a decline in investor confidence, with potential investors now turning away from the state’s economic projects. This, according to the unions, is damaging Rivers State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and could undermine long-term economic growth and employment prospects in the region.

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, the unions emphasized that such actions should be carried out within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution.

They argued that suspending elected officials and withholding salaries from workers violates fundamental rights and could aggravate existing security and economic challenges.

The Organised Labour urged the federal government to prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens over political interests, warning that any approach that sacrifices workers’ welfare for political gain would only fuel tensions and resistance.

The statement called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to take swift action to reverse the state of emergency and reinstate the suspended elected officials. The unions also urged the federal government to engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders to peacefully resolve the situation.

In the event that their demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe, the labour leaders warned that they would not hesitate to initiate strategic union actions. These actions, they cautioned, could have significant consequences for the nation’s economic activities.