Organised Labour in Rivers State has strongly condemned the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, calling it “baseless” and unjustified. In a joint statement, Comrade Alex Agwanwor (NLC Chairperson), Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru (TUC Chairperson), and Comrade Chuku Emecheta (JP) criticized the suspension of the elected Executive Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members, arguing that the decision undermines democracy and the will of Rivers people. Labour further decried the economic impact, stating that local government workers have yet to receive their salaries, leaving them vulnerable to severe financial hardship. They warned that the state of emergency could harm Rivers State’s economy, particularly given its strategic role in Nigeria and the Niger Delta. At a time when the nation is grappling with high inflation, naira devaluation, rising unemployment, and unaffordable electricity tariffs, Labour noted that the crisis has scared off investors who had shown interest in the ‘New Rivers Vision,’ leading to a decline in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The statement urged an immediate resolution to prevent further economic and social destabilization. “While the Rivers state Organized labour supports maintaining law and order, it insists that actions such as declaration of state of emergency and suspending elected officials must align with the Nigerian Constitution and protect workers from avoidable wage invalidity, nonpayment of salaries at all levels, safety and security threats. “Government must prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens over political interests. The Rivers State Organized labour is appealing to the President, National Assembly, and Judiciary to urgently reverse the premature state of emergency and suspension of elected officials and return the state to normalcy. “The federal government is strongly advised to engage in genuine dialogue to prevent further escalation of the issues in Rivers State”. The Labor however advised all workers to remain calm and continue their duties while awaiting a favorable response on the concerns it raised, adding that Organized labour may be compelled to take strategic union actions which might disrupt national economic activities if our demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe.