The Nigeria Labour Congress in Rivers State, on Thursday, boycotted the annual May Day Celebration, which holds yearly at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elemahia, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
However, the workers and members of the NLC gathered at the body’s Secretariat in D-Line, Port Harcourt and demanded the reinstatement of the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
The congress vowed to continue fighting for democracy, pointing out that workers in the state enjoy a good working relationship and conditions under a democratic system.
The State NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, stated this while addressing workers at its secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Recall that the national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, had, in a viral video, directed that workers in Rivers state refrain from the usual Labour Day celebration in view of the absence of a democratic government in the state.
In obedience to the directive, the workers gathered at the NLC secretariat with placards bearing several inscriptions to drive home their points.
Some of the writings on their placards reads, ‘Reinstate Rivers State Government’, ‘We wand Governor Fubara back’, ‘We say no to military leadership in Rivers State’, ‘8-12 hours a day demands a pension’, Better Driving Conditions, Drivers are Bleeding’, among others.
Agwanwor further said, “The organised labour fought for democracy, we are a product of democracy and we will continue to fight till democracy is well entrenched in our land.
“We appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to use his good office and intention to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to their offices as soon as possible.
“As workers of Rivers State, we enjoy a good working relationship with our elected representatives under a democratic system of government”.
Continuing, the State NLC boss called on the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), to oversee a genuine reconciliation process,
“We also urge the Sole Administrator to facilitate the peaceful reconciliation process that he has been saddled with to expedite the quick return of our elected representatives, as is the case in other states of the federation.
“As we reflect on the happenings in Rivers State in the past one month, that is the suspension of all democratically elected government and institution in Rivers State, let us continue to remain steadfast, be law abiding and carryout our legitimate duty without fear or intimidation and avoid acts that could lead or trigger provocation, ” Agwanwor said.
The state-organised Labour also demanded the payment of pension arrears and payment of gratuity, implementation of increments and promotion of non-teaching staff of Polytechnics, as well as the protection and proper profiling of riders in the state.
Agwanwor disclosed that the leadership of organised Labour in the state had a meeting with the Sole Administrator on Wednesday, reiterating that the Congress remains neutral in its affairs and is only focused on promoting the welfare of its members.
He said, “We also want to inform you that yesterday, we had a meeting with the Sole Administrator after we’d been directed by our national secretariat.
“The NLC at the state and national level, we are not part of any engagement with any organisation between the Rivers State government, the Sole Administrator or whoever.
“So, for us, we are willing to continue to partner with all stakeholders, all employers of Labour in Rivers State, for the advancement of the welfare of our members in Rivers State.”