Rivers Emergency Rule:Former Labour Leaders in Rivers State ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore democratic institutions in Rivers state.

FORMER LABOUR LEADERS FORUM, RIVERS STATE

WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE

The Collapse of DEMOCRACY in Rivers State, where is the Organised Labour?

PROTOCOLS.

Good afternoon my comrades and Gentlemen of the Press.

You have been invited here by the Leadership of the Former Labour Leaders Forum, Rivers state to address you of our position on the undemocratic rule in the state.

Ordinarily, as former Labour Leaders we are not supposed to lead workers to protest the collapse of democracy in Rivers state rather than the organised Labour that is saddled with the responsibility of defending and protecting the nascent democracy, which is yet to see reasons in the state that we found ourselves.

Tomorrow, 18th April will be exactly one month when President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in a most undesirable and absurd pronouncement on the Rivers state crisis declared a state of emergency and the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers state Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Ordu and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

To cap it all, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole administrator of the state in what we considered a brazen and fragrant desecration of democracy and the rule of law.

Furthermore, democratic and legally obligatory pre-requisites were also thrown overboard by the National Assembly through their voice-vote endorsement of President Tinubu's state of emergency declaration in place of the constitutionally prescribed two thirds majority votes.

Gentlemen of the Press, as far as the Former Labour Leaders Forum is concerned, such mindless take over and destroying fundamental principle of democracy in such an absorb manner in Rivers State amounts to suspension of Democracy and the constitution of Nigeria and inviting military dictatorship. Which the appointed Sole administrator has began to accomplish.

The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas acting out a script by dismounting existing democratic structures in the state, arbitrarily appointing sole administrators for the Local Government councils, dissolving and reconstituting Boards, commissions and Governing councils is a sinister agenda of state capture. That may likely befall other state.

It is therefore our strongest opinion as Former Labour Leaders in the state to call on the organised Labour - the NLC and TUC at the state and National levels to actively join hands with well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations and the good people of Rivers state to bring to an immediate end this dangerous undemocratic precedent that has been unleashed in our dear state.

Organised Labour, especially in Rivers state as a major stakeholder in the Socio-political democratic and economic emancipation of Rivers people should not be sleeping while the state is apparently on fire.

The selective application of a state of emergency in Rivers state while ignoring states constantly plagued by worst security challenges is undoubtedly questionable.

The Forum is absolutely at lost to apprehend low the political crisis and upheavals in Rivers State that has warranted such extreme measures taken against the people.

It is very glaring that this decision is taken in bad faith against the good people of Rivers state.

On a very good standing, we can boldly say that Nigeria as a sovereign nation cannot stand or succeed without Rivers state.

The Former Labour Leaders Forum in Rivers state therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his action and recall Governor Siminilayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu and members of the state House of Assembly in the interest of peace and democracy.

Let me reiterate that this forum stands in strong solidarity with all well-meaning people of Rivers state to navigate through these challenging times and deeply empathize with the people and frustration they are passing through.

Gentlemen of the Press, you will agree with us that the emergency rule in Rivers state underscores the severe difficulties being faced daily to sustainable livelihood.

In concluding this address, we once again call on the NLC to live up to the mandate of the Nigerian workers and the masses or immediately put in the towel.

My comrades and Gentlemen of the Press, thanks for your rapt attention as we charge you to continually remain apolitical as the watch dog of the society.

God bless us all.

Comradely Yours,

Sir. Achese Igwe.

Chairman.                                          Comrade Benneth Kalio                      Acting sectretary

Former Labour Leaders Forum, Rivers State.