Organised labour in Rivers State has issued a stern warning, threatening to disrupt national economic activities if President Bola Tinubu does not immediately reverse the emergency rule imposed on the state. In a joint statement released by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers, the unions expressed grave concerns over the legality, economic impact, and broader consequences of the imposed emergency measures.

The statement, dated March 24, 2025, and signed by key figures including Alex Agwanwor, chairperson of NLC in Rivers state, Ikechukwu Onyefuru, chairperson of Rivers TUC, and Chuku Emecheta, chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), highlighted the potential for "strategic union actions" that could severely affect national economic stability. The unions argue that the emergency rule has already adversely affected the payment of workers’ salaries, plunging local government employees into significant economic hardship.

The declaration of a state of emergency, along with the suspension of elected officials such as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly, has been described as premature and baseless. Labour leaders insist that these officials were freely elected by the people of Rivers State, and any attempt to remove them outside constitutional processes undermines the democratic foundations of the country. They are calling for an immediate reversal to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.

Beyond the immediate impact on governance, the organised labour is deeply concerned about the economic repercussions. Rivers State is a critical component of Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region, and the imposed state of emergency is already deterring potential investors. According to the joint statement, potential investors who had shown interest in the ‘New Rivers Vision’ have backed out due to the political instability, damaging the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and long-term economic prospects.

The unions stressed that the nation is already grappling with significant economic challenges, including inflation, naira devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment, and escalating living costs. Further instability in Rivers State could exacerbate these issues nationwide.

“While the Rivers state Organized labour 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,” the statement reads. “Government must prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens over political interests.”

The unions are appealing to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary to urgently reverse the state of emergency and restore normalcy in Rivers State. They are also strongly advising the federal government to engage in genuine dialogue to resolve the underlying issues. In the meantime, workers are urged to remain calm and continue their duties while awaiting a favorable response.

Organised labour has made it clear that if their demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe, they will be compelled to take strategic union actions that could disrupt national economic activities.