Nigeria’s labour movement has fired a blunt warning at the Federal Government: Reverse the state of emergency in Rivers State or face nationwide economic disruption.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) have condemned what they describe as an unconstitutional power grab, vowing to take decisive action if the situation is not immediately addressed.
A BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY OR POLITICAL MANEUVERING?
The state of emergency, which saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, has been met with outrage from labour leaders.
In a joint statement signed by NLC Rivers State Chairperson Alex Agwanwor, TUC State Chairperson Ikechukwu Onyefuru, and JNC Chairperson Chuku Emecheta, the unions slammed the move as undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a direct assault on the will of the people.
“These officials were elected by the people. Their removal must follow legal and constitutional processes, not executive fiat,” the statement read.
ECONOMIC CRISIS LOOMING: WORKERS BEAR THE BRUNT
The unions did not just focus on the legality of the emergency rule—they also exposed its devastating economic impact.
They revealed that local government workers have not received their salaries since the crisis began, pushing thousands of families further into hardship at a time when Nigeria is already grappling with soaring inflation, a weakening naira, and an escalating cost of living.
“Withholding wages at a time like this is a deliberate act of economic sabotage,” the unions declared, warning that workers will not remain silent while their rights are trampled.
RIVERS STATE: A TICKING TIME BOMB FOR NIGERIA’S ECONOMY
Beyond the immediate suffering of workers, the unions cautioned that instability in Rivers State—one of Nigeria’s key economic hubs—could send shockwaves across the nation.
They pointed to a decline in investment interest, falling internally generated revenue (IGR), and mounting economic uncertainty as direct consequences of the political turmoil.
“Rivers State is the heartbeat of the Niger Delta economy. A crisis here means a crisis for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, trade, and national revenue,” they warned.
A FINAL WARNING: REVERSE THE EMERGENCY RULE OR FACE NATIONAL ACTION
While the labour leaders expressed support for law and order, they insisted that governance must adhere to constitutional principles. They called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to take immediate steps to lift the state of emergency and reinstate the suspended officials.
Failure to act, they warned, could ignite mass protests, industrial action, and an economic paralysis that the nation can ill afford.
“We urge all workers to remain calm, but if this injustice continues, we will not hesitate to take decisive steps that will reverberate across the nation,” the statement concluded.
As the standoff intensifies, one thing is clear: the battle for Rivers State is no longer just political—it is now a fight for democracy, workers’ rights, and the economic stability of an entire nation.
