Labour Threatens Action If Rivers Emergency Rule Is Not Reversed

TUESDAY March 25, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng

The Organised Labour has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it may be forced to take decisive action that could disrupt national economic activities if the proclamation is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe, ChannelsTV reports.

The threat was contained 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 about the legality, economic impact, and consequences of the federal government’s actions

The Organized 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.