NLC and TUC Demand Reversal of State of Emergency in Rivers State

Labour Unions Condemn Tinubu’s Decision as Unconstitutional

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have strongly opposed the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the two major labour unions demanded the immediate reversal of the decision, calling it reckless, unconstitutional, and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

The statement, signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, also criticized the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly. According to the labour leaders, these actions are in direct violation of Part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and represent an overreach of executive power.

“The purported suspension or removal of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly is not only unlawful but a direct assault on democracy. It sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments,” the statement read.

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State of Emergency Threatens Economy and Democracy

The NLC and TUC emphasized that the imposition of a state of emergency would have severe socio-economic consequences for workers, businesses, and residents of Rivers State. They warned that such a move could:

• Disrupt economic activities, forcing businesses to shut down or scale back operations.
• Lead to job losses, wage cuts, and increased economic hardship for thousands of workers in both the formal and informal sectors.
• Create an atmosphere of uncertainty, discouraging investment and slowing economic growth.
• Expose citizens to greater security risks, as politically motivated states of emergency have historically escalated crises rather than resolved them.

The unions stressed that President Tinubu’s decision would destabilize the region, negatively impacting industries, including oil and gas, which is crucial to Nigeria’s overall economic stability.

Labour Unions Warn of National Security Risks

Beyond the economic implications, the NLC and TUC warned that Tinubu’s action could undermine national security and create further instability in the country. They called on the President to respect constitutional limits and avoid making decisions that could jeopardize democratic governance.

“The President, as the custodian of the nation’s executive powers, must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion,” the unions stated.

They further urged the Federal Government to reconsider the decision, stating that Nigeria had already suffered the consequences of political overreach in the past and could not afford to repeat such mistakes.

“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President. This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law,” the statement added.

Calls for Dialogue and Legal Solutions

The labour unions urged the government to explore legal and democratic means of resolving any political crisis in Rivers State instead of resorting to emergency powers. They called for dialogue between the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government, and other relevant stakeholders to find a peaceful and lawful resolution.

They also warned that if the state of emergency was not reversed, they would mobilize Nigerian workers and civil society groups for nationwide protests in defense of democracy and constitutional governance.

The NLC and TUC concluded by affirming their commitment to protecting the rights of workers and upholding Nigeria’s democratic principles, insisting that any attack on democracy would be resisted.

As the controversy over the state of emergency continues, all eyes are on President Tinubu and the Federal Government’s next move. Political analysts warn that the decision could trigger wider political tensions, further complicating Nigeria’s already fragile democratic landscape.