By Gwurld4026 
Rivers Emergency Rule: Labour Demands Immediate Reversal
Organized Labour in Rivers State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), has strongly opposed the recent declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
In a joint statement signed by NLC Chairperson Alex Agwanwor, TUC Chairperson Ikechukwu Onyefuru, and JNC Chairperson Chuku Emecheta, the unions condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, labeling these actions as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
The labour leaders emphasized that these officials were duly elected by the people of Rivers State, and any attempt to remove them outside of constitutional procedures undermines democratic principles. They highlighted the immediate adverse effects of the emergency rule, noting that local government workers have yet to receive their salaries, leading to unnecessary economic hardship.
Given Rivers State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region, the unions warned that the state of emergency could have far-reaching negative economic consequences, especially amid existing national challenges such as high inflation, naira devaluation, and rising unemployment.
The unions have called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to promptly reverse the state of emergency and reinstate the suspended officials. They cautioned that failure to address these demands may compel them to undertake strategic union actions, potentially disrupting national economic activities.
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