The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has threatened to take action over the political crisis rocking the state.
The congress said the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers loyal to the immediate past governor of the state and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is affecting workers in the state.
The state NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwo, stated this after a joint labour meeting in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Recall that two factions emerged in the state House of Assembly after the explosion that rocked the legislative complex on October 29, 2023, following moves to impeach the governor.
About 26 lawmakers in the state House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said to be loyal to Wike recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Five members of the Assembly loyal to the governor led by the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, declared the seat of the defecting lawmakers vacant.
The crisis led to the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex on Wednesday on the orders of the state government, which claimed that it was no longer ideal for legislative duties following October’s attack by political thugs, which resulted in the damage of some sections.
The NLC chairman said, “We categorically condemn the crisis in Rivers State and we call for immediate restoration of peace among all the political actors involved so that we can have peace and prosperity in the state.
“Honestly, this crisis is not helping us. When two elephants fight, the grasses suffer. As workers, we are feeling the impact.
“The state is tensed. Our members are beginning to complain about the uprising and how their welfare is now being affected.
“The N35,000 wage award has been implemented by the Federal Government, but the state workers are yet to benefit from it.
“We have been engaging the state governor on how to implement this, but due to this crisis, the governor has not been able to have time for us.
“He has been very busy. For us, this distraction must stop.”
“If this crisis continues and the political actors will not allow peace to reign in this state, we will have no choice but to make efforts to protect the benefits of our members. We will take every step legally to make sure that we advance the course of our members
