The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an attack on democracy and an abuse of executive power.
On Tuesday, President Tinubu imposed the emergency rule in response to the prolonged political turmoil in the South-South state.
Along with the declaration, he suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly.
In their place, the president appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator.
In a joint statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo condemned the decision, warning that it undermines Nigeria’s democratic principles.
They argued that the move sets a dangerous precedent by eroding constitutional governance and threatening the independence of state governments.
“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President,” the statement read. “This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.”
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The labour leaders urged President Tinubu to withdraw the declaration in accordance with Section 305(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the legal framework for declaring a state of emergency.
They stressed that the president must operate within constitutional boundaries to avoid jeopardizing national stability.
“Nigeria has suffered the painful consequences of political overreach in the past, and we cannot afford to repeat such mistakes,” they added. “We demand the immediate reversal of this unconstitutional state of emergency in the interest of democracy, economic stability, and the welfare of Nigerian workers.”
The unions reaffirmed their commitment to defending democratic governance and warned against any further actions that could undermine the nation’s political and economic stability.