Organised labour in Rivers State has issued a stern warning of potential disruptions to national economic activities unless President Bola Tinubu reverses the emergency rule recently imposed on the state.
In a joint statement released on March 24, 2025, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers expressed deep concerns over the implications of the emergency declaration.
The statement, signed by Alex Agwanwor, Ikechukwu Onyefuru, and Chuku Emecheta, chairpersons of NLC, TUC, and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) respectively, highlighted severe repercussions on workers’ welfare and economic stability in the state.
According to the unions, the emergency rule has directly impacted the timely payment of workers’ salaries, particularly affecting local government employees who are currently enduring economic hardships due to unpaid wages.
Moreover, the declaration of emergency has cast a shadow over Rivers State’s economic prospects under the ‘New Rivers Vision’, resulting in the withdrawal of potential investments crucial for its development agenda.
The labour unions emphasized their support for maintaining law and order but insisted that constitutional principles must guide any actions that affect governance structures and workers’ rights.
“The Rivers State Organised Labour stands firm on prioritizing the safety and welfare of all citizens above political interests,” the statement asserted.
It called upon the federal government to engage in sincere dialogue to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy in the state promptly.
In a bid to press for their demands, the labour unions urged President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary to swiftly reverse the emergency measures and reinstate elected officials.
They cautioned that failure to address their grievances within a reasonable timeframe could compel them to initiate “strategic union actions” that may disrupt national economic activities.
The statement concluded with an appeal for calm among workers while awaiting a favorable response from the government on the critical issues raised.
The federal government has yet to respond officially to these demands as tensions continue to simmer in Rivers State.
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