Inside the Controversy: Why NLC and TUC Reject Rivers State's Emergency Move

President Bola Tinubu's proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State has been sharply denounced by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, which have called it an assault on democracy.

NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC colleague Festus Osifo criticized the action as "hurried and unconstitutional" in a joint statement on Wednesday, claiming that it went against Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

"Every governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law should be deeply concerned about this reckless move," the statement said.

"Where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the president's whim, no democratic society can flourish."

The unions claimed that the suspension of the State House of Assembly, the Governor, and the Deputy Governor was illegal and created a risky precedent that jeopardizes state government autonomy and constitutional governance.

They cautioned that the emergency rule would have detrimental socioeconomic effects, such as heightened security concerns, job losses, and economic upheaval.

The statement continued, "In the interest of democracy, economic stability, and the welfare of Nigerian workers, we demand the immediate reversal of this unconstitutional state of emergency."

Citing the need to restore law and order, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers during a countrywide broadcast on Tuesday night.

For the first six months, he also suspended all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

To supervise governance during that time, Tinubu designated retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the state administrator.