By Kolawole Ojebisi
The organised Labour in Rivers State has threatened strategic actions that will disrupt the smooth running of economic activities in the state if the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu is not reversed.
The union condemned Tinubu’s action as it decried its impact on people of the state, including the non-payment of salaries of Local Government Council workers.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and jointly signed by the state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Alex Agwanwor, his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Ikechukwu Onyefuru, and the state chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Chuku Emecheta.
The statement which was sent to newsmen reads in part, “The Rivers State Organised Labour expresses deep concern over the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, wishes to state as follows;
Rivers State Organised Labour strongly condemned what it described as “the premature and baseless” declaration of a state of emergency and suspension of the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members who were elected by the Rivers people.
“The state of emergency has impacted the local government workers who are yet to receive their salaries, as a result, are exposed to avoidable economic hardship.
“Considering the strategic importance of Rivers State in Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region, the state of emergency has the potential to negatively impact the economy at a time that the nation is struggling with high inflations, naira devaluation, high exchange rate, rising unemployment, high cost of living, and unaffordable electricity tariff.”
“The state of emergency puts the state at a very disadvantageous position as potential investors who have indicated interest in ‘New Rivers Vision’ have all backed out of planned investments in the state thereby impairing the growing state internally generated revenue”.
It continued, “The Rivers State Organized labour is appealing to the President, National Assembly, and Judiciary to urgently reverse the premature state of emergency and suspension of elected officials and return the state to normalcy.
“The federal government is strongly advised to engage in genuine dialogue to prevent further escalation of the issues in Rivers State.
“The Organised labour may be compelled to take strategic union actions which might disrupt national economic activities if our demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe.”
The body further noted that while it “supports maintaining law and order, it insists that actions such as declaration of state of emergency and suspending elected officials must align with the Nigerian Constitution and protect workers from avoidable wage invalidity, non- payment of salaries at all levels, safety and security threats.
“Government must prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens over political interests.”
It therefore urged all workers to remain calm and continue their duties while awaiting a favorable response to the concerns raised.
