The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling it “hasty and unconstitutional.”
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo argued that the move violates Part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and represents an overreach of executive power.
They urged the president to revoke the decision in accordance with Section 305(6), which outlines the legal framework for declaring and maintaining a state of emergency.
The unions emphasized that Tinubu, as the nation’s chief executive, must uphold constitutional limits and act in a manner that fosters national confidence rather than political tension.
They also warned that the labour movement will not stand by while the rights and livelihoods of Nigerian workers are undermined.