PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – Organised labour in Rivers State has issued a stern warning of potential strategic actions if President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state is not reversed.
The unions, representing workers across various sectors in the state, condemned the move, highlighting its negative impact on both the local economy and the welfare of state workers.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) expressed deep concern over the suspension of elected officials, including the Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the House of Assembly.
The statement was jointly signed by Alex Agwanwor (NLC), Ikechukwu Onyefuru (TUC), and Chuku Emecheta (JNC).
The unions condemned the declaration as “premature and baseless,” arguing that it was detrimental to the people of Rivers State, particularly the local government workers who have not been paid their salaries.
This, they said, has resulted in avoidable economic hardship for the workers.
“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,” the statement read.
The unions also warned that the state of emergency, imposed amidst Nigeria’s ongoing economic struggles—including high inflation, naira devaluation, unemployment, and rising living costs—could worsen the situation in Rivers State, which is strategically important to both the national 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 inflation, naira devaluation, high exchange rate, rising unemployment, high cost of living, and unaffordable electricity tariffs,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the labour unions voiced concerns over the effect of the state of emergency on investments. They claimed that several investors who had expressed interest in the “New Rivers Vision” have now withdrawn due to the political instability caused by the declaration.
“Potential investors who have indicated interest in the ‘New Rivers Vision’ have all backed out of planned investments in the state,” they said.
The unions have called on President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to urgently reverse the state of emergency and the suspension of the state’s elected officials, restoring normalcy to Rivers State.
“The federal government is strongly advised to engage in genuine dialogue to prevent further escalation of the issues in Rivers State,” the unions stated, stressing that if their demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe, they may be forced to take disruptive actions that could affect national economic activities.
