The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State have opted to suspend their planned protest against the ongoing police blockade of local government area (LGA) secretariats.
This decision, announced at a joint press briefing in Port Harcourt on Sunday, underscores the unions’ cautious approach amidst a multifaceted situation.
The suspension stems from reported attempts by unknown individuals to exploit the protest for their own ends, potentially inciting violence while posing as union members.
NLC Chairman Alex Agwanwor emphasized this concern, urging police to apprehend anyone attempting to protest under the guise of labour affiliation on Monday.
The briefing also served as a platform for internal communication.
Agwanwor advised members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the group that initially proposed the protest, to await further directives from the central labour leadership.
Furthermore, both Agwanwor and his TUC counterpart, Ikechukwu Onyefuru, firmly rejected accusations of political bias from former Local Government Chairmen.
They maintained their stance of neutrality and commitment to representing the interests of all workers across the state.
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The planned protest was a response to the police takeover of LGA secretariats, implemented on Friday.
This action came on the heels of a meeting addressing three major concerns:
- Caretaker Committee Composition and Inauguration: The process of establishing and inducting caretaker committees to oversee the LGAs has been a contentious point.
- Calls for a State of Emergency: The All Progressives Congress (APC) political party had advocated for the imposition of a state of emergency within Rivers State, a move vehemently opposed by labour unions.
- Police Takeover of Secretariats: The decision by police to occupy LGA secretariats has significantly disrupted normal operations and restricted worker access.
While acknowledging the police’s role in maintaining peace, Agwanwor highlighted the violation of worker rights caused by the blockade.
He implored Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to intervene and instruct the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to grant workers access to their workplaces for the fulfilment of their duties.
The unions have issued a clear warning: if their plea for access to workplaces remains unheard, they will be forced to mobilize their members to reclaim their offices.
This potential escalation underscores the urgency of finding a solution that addresses both security concerns and the legitimate needs of local government workers in Rivers State.
