The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. In a statement, the two labour unions described the action as “hasty and unconstitutional,” violating Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

The President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the President of the TUC, Engineer Festus Osifo, said 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.” They emphasized that this action sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments.

Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo urged President Tinubu to revoke the declaration, citing the need to comply with Section 305(6) of the Constitution. They stressed that the President must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion.

The labour leaders warned that the state of emergency will have severe socio-economic repercussions on workers and the masses, including disrupting economic activities, leading to job losses, and exposing citizens to security risks. They demanded the immediate reversal of the declaration, emphasizing that Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

As Ajaero and Osifo pointed out, Nigeria has suffered the painful consequences of political overreach in the past, and it cannot afford to repeat such mistakes. They urged President Tinubu not to betray his democratic credentials by engaging in actions reminiscent of military-era authoritarianism.