The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have fiercely criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, denouncing it as an assault on democracy.
According to the PUNCH in a joint statement issued on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo condemned the move as “hasty and unconstitutional,” arguing that it contradicts Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“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 statement read.
The labour leaders asserted that suspending the state’s elected leadership, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, was an unlawful action that could set a dangerous precedent.
They warned that such interference undermines constitutional governance and threatens the independence of state governments.
Expressing further concerns, the unions highlighted the economic and security implications of the decision, warning of potential job losses, economic instability, and rising insecurity.
“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.
President Tinubu, in a nationwide address on Tuesday, justified the declaration by citing the need to restore law and order in the state.
Alongside the suspension of Rivers’ elected officials for an initial six-month period, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance during the transition.
