State Of Emergency : NLC, TUC Demand Immediate Reversal, Set For Showdown

Organised labour in Nigeria demands the immediate reversal of what it calls an unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State, in the interest of democracy, economic stability, and the welfare of Nigerian workers.

The organised labour in a statement tagged: Stop this assault on democracy now’, the workers group says Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

The statement jointly signed by the presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Festus Osifo, unequivocally condemned again what it describes as Mr. President’s hasty and unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stressing that the action blatantly violates the provisions of Part two, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and constitutes an overreach of executive power.

The Labour movement adds that the purported suspension or removal of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly is not only unlawful but a direct assault on democracy, stating further that it sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments.

The statement warned that No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President, while adding that the move, which it describes as reckless, should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.

NLC and TUC used the satement to advise Mr. President to revoke what it calls unconstitutional declaration in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which clearly outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining a state of emergency.

The unions advised further that the President, as the custodian of the nation’s executive powers, must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion, noting that, any decision that jeopardizes national security, economic stability, and democratic governance must be reconsidered.

The statement reveals that Nigeria has suffered the painful consequences of political overreach in the past, and the country cannot afford to repeat such mistakes.

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Beyond the political and legal implications, the labour movement says an unjustified state of emergency will have severe socio-economic repercussions on workers and the masses. It willDisrupt economic activities, forcing businesses to shut down or scale back operations;

Lead to job losses, wage cuts, and economic hardship for thousands of workers in both the formal and informal sectors;

As well as create an atmosphere of uncertainty, discouraging investment and slowing economic growth in Rivers State and beyond.

It says in addition, it will Expose citizens to security risks, as history has shown that politically motivated states of emergency often escalate rather than resolve crises.

Accordingly, the Labour movement reiterates that it will not remain silent while the livelihoods of workers and the well-being of ordinary Nigerians are threatened by political machinations.

As at the time of this report the President has already sworn in retired vice admiral Ibot-Ette Ibas as Sole administrator of Rivers State, and the Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara had already departed the government house in port Harcourt

(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)