By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have weighed in on the ongoing state of affairs in Rivers describing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state as a “reckless move”.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, faulted the move as “hasty and unconstitutional,” arguing that it violated Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
The unions strongly condemned the situation in the oil producing state calling it an attack on democracy.
The statement read, “This reckless move should deeply concern every governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.
“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President.”
The unions said suspending the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly was unlawful and set a dangerous precedent that undermines constitutional governance and threatens the autonomy of state governments.
They warned that the emergency rule would have serious socio-economic consequences, including job losses, economic disruption, and increased security risks.
“We demand the immediate reversal of this unconstitutional state of emergency in the interest of democracy, economic stability, and the welfare of Nigerian workers,” the statement concluded.
Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening, announced the state of emergency in Rivers, citing the need to restore law and order.
He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six months.
Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the state’s administrator to oversee governance during the period.
