By Divine Sam
The organised labour movement in Nigeria has issued a strong warning, threatening industrial action if the state of emergency declared in Rivers State is not reversed promptly.
In a joint statement signed by the Rivers State Chairpersons of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor; the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ikechukwu Onyefuru; and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Chuku Emecheta, labour leaders condemned the emergency declaration by President Bola Tinubu, calling it unlawful and detrimental to the state’s economy.
The unions criticised the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, arguing that such actions undermine democracy and violate constitutional provisions. They insisted that the officials were duly elected by the people and should only be removed through legitimate constitutional processes.
A key concern raised in the statement was the immediate economic hardship caused by the emergency rule, particularly for local government workers who have reportedly not received their salaries. The labour leaders stressed that withholding wages at a time of rising living costs exposes workers to undue suffering.
They also warned of broader economic consequences, given Rivers State’s strategic role in Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region. According to them, the nation is already struggling with inflation, currency devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment, and soaring living costs, and further instability in Rivers State could worsen the situation nationwide.
Furthermore, the statement noted that the political crisis has discouraged investors, negatively impacting the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and threatening long-term economic growth and job creation.
While acknowledging the need for law and order, the unions insisted that governance must align with constitutional principles. They called on the Federal Government to prioritize citizens’ welfare over political interests, warning that any attempt to use workers’ livelihoods as leverage for political gains would only escalate tensions and resistance.
Labour leaders vowed to take decisive action, including a nationwide strike, if the government fails to address their concerns and reverse the state of emergency in Rivers State.
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