The Organized Labour says it may be forced to take decisive actions that could disrupt national economic activities if the State of Emergency declared in Rivers state by President Tinubu on March 18, is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe.
The threat is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Alex Agwanwor (State Chairperson, NLC), Sir Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru (State Chairperson, TUC), and Comrade Chuku Emecheta (State Chairperson, JNC).
The labour unions raised concerns about the legality, economic impact, and consequences of the federal government’s actions. The Labour described the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and House of Assembly members as premature and baseless.
According to the union leaders, the people of Rivers State freely elected these officials, and any attempt to remove them outside constitutional processes undermines democracy.
They insisted that such actions must be reversed to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.
They highlighted the immediate hardship the state of emergency has caused for local government workers, many of whom have yet to receive their salaries.
The statement noted that withholding workers’ wages has exposed them to avoidable economic suffering, particularly at a time when the cost of living is already high.
The Organized Labour warned that the state of emergency could have devastating economic consequences, emphasizing Rivers State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region.
It said with the nation already grappling with inflation, naira devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment, and skyrocketing living costs, further instability in Rivers State could worsen the situation nationwide.
The statement also pointed out that the political uncertainty caused by the state of emergency has driven away potential investors who had expressed interest in the state’s economic initiative.
This loss of investment, according to labour leaders, is damaging the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR)
Labour threatens action if Rivers emergency rule is not overturned
