The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have condemned the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Weighing in on the political crisis in Rivers State, the trade unions strongly condemned the emergency rule, describing it as “an assault on democracy”.
In a national broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and state assembly members.
He also proposed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the state’s sole administrator.
Ibas, who was sworn in on Wednesday at the Aso Villa, will lead the state for the first six months.
Prior to the imposition of the emergency rule, the political situation in the state was tense, resulting in three explosions in two days.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, condemned the president’s move as “hasty and unconstitutional,” violating Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law,” the statement read.
“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the president,” it added.
The NLC said that suspending or removing the governor, deputy governor, and members of the state House of Assembly was illegal and set a dangerous precedent, undermining constitutional governance and jeopardising subnational governments’ sovereignty.
“We demand the immediate reversal of this unconstitutional state of emergency in the interest of democracy, economic stability, and the welfare of Nigerian workers.
“Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency,” the unions warned.
