Nigeria’s Organised Labour has strongly criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, cautioning that it may be compelled to undertake actions that could disrupt national economic operations if the proclamation is not revoked within a reasonable period.
This warning was articulated in a statement co-signed by Alex Agwanwor, the Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Ikechukwu Onyefuru, the State Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC); and Chuku Emecheta, the Chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC)
The labour unions expressed worries regarding the legality, economic repercussions, and implications of the federal government’s measures.
The Organised Labour described the announcement of a state of emergency and the dismissal of the elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara; deputy governor, Ngozi Odu; and House of Assembly members as hasty and unfounded.
According to the union leaders, the citizens of Rivers State freely chose these officials, and any effort to displace them outside of constitutional norms undermines democratic principles. They drew attention to the immediate difficulties that the state of emergency has inflicted on local government workers, many of whom have not yet received their wages.
The statement added that withholding salaries has subjected workers to unnecessary financial distress, particularly when living costs are already elevated.
The Organised Labour cautioned that the state of emergency could lead to severe economic repercussions, highlighting Rivers State’s critical role in Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region.
It noted that with the nation already battling inflation, naira depreciation, soaring exchange rates, increasing unemployment, and rising living expenses, any further instability in Rivers State could exacerbate the scenario nationwide.
The statement also stressed that the political unpredictability of the state of emergency has deterred potential investors who had shown interest in the state’s economic initiatives.
As per the union leaders, this decline in investment is detrimental to the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and will have lasting effects on economic growth and job opportunities in the area.
The unions contended that suspending elected representatives and allegedly interrupting employee salary disbursements infringed fundamental rights and could exacerbate security and economic difficulties.
They urged the government to prioritise the safety and well-being of citizens rather than political agendas, warning that any governance strategy that jeopardizes workers’ welfare for political maneuvering would only escalate tensions and resistance.
The statement called upon President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to promptly act to reverse the state of emergency and restore the ousted elected officials.
