Labour Demands Immediate Reversal of State of Emergency in Rivers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) calls for an immediate reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers State, condemning it as unconstitutional and unjust.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to rapidly declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it both hasty and unconstitutional.

The labor unions demanded that the declaration be immediately reversed, arguing that it clearly violates Part II, Section 305 of the amended 1999 Constitution and represents an overstep of executive authority.

This was stated in a joint statement released on Wednesday, signed by Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, and Festus Osifo, his counterpart from the TUC.

The alleged suspension or removal of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly is not just illegal but also a direct attack on democracy.

This action establishes a risky precedent that undermines constitutional governance and endangers the independence of local governments.

The statement said, “A thriving democratic society cannot exist where elected leaders are removed arbitrarily at the President’s whim. This careless action should alarm every rational governor and citizen who upholds the rule of law.”

The unions called on President Tinubu to annul the “unconstitutional declaration” in accordance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which they asserted clearly delineates the legal procedure for declaring and maintaining a state of emergency.

They added, “As the guardian of the nation’s executive powers, the President must demonstrate restraint, adhere to constitutional boundaries, and act in ways that inspire national confidence instead of suspicion.”

Any decision that threatens national security, economic stability, and democratic governance should be reevaluated.

Nigeria has endured the difficult repercussions of political overreach before, and it is crucial that we avoid making similar mistakes again.

Apart from the political and legal consequences, this unwarranted state of emergency will greatly impact workers and the general population socio-economically. It will: Interrupt economic activities, causing businesses to close or reduce operations; Result in job losses, wage reductions, and financial difficulties for thousands of employees across both formal and informal sectors; Generate uncertainty that deters investment while hampering economic growth in Rivers State as well as beyond its borders; Heighten security risks for citizens since historically such politically driven states of emergency tend to exacerbate rather than resolve crises.

The Labour movement declared that it will not stay quiet as political maneuvers put workers’ livelihoods and the welfare of everyday Nigerians at risk.

Considering his rich history of political struggle, we strongly encourage the President to uphold his democratic values and refrain from actions that echo military-era authoritarianism.

Leadership requires wisdom, self-control, and a steadfast dedication to democratic principles.

“We call for the swift revocation of this unconstitutional state of emergency to uphold democracy, economic stability, and the well-being of Nigerian workers. The integrity of Nigeria’s democracy must not be compromised for political convenience,” the statement concluded.