The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to revoke the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State immediately.
“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress would like to join other well-meaning Nigerians or organisations in averring that Mr President acted hastily and clearly out of the provisions of Part II Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
“His purported suspension or removal of the Governor, his deputy and the State House of Assembly constitute a threat to our democracy and all reasonable governors thinking reasonably ought to feel threatened by an over-reaching President.
“In light of this, we urge Mr President to immediately retrace his steps by revoking this declaration of state of emergency in compliance with S. 305 ss6 of the Constitution”, a statement signed by the National President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero on Wednesday read in part.
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The statement further said that given the enormous powers vested in the President and for him to freely exercise those powers, his decisions at all times should be above suspicion and should not put in jeopardy the security and economic health of the nation.
“Given the weighty consequences that befell our nation in our nascent history and the lessons ought to have been learnt thereof, we equally advise that Mr President be guided by utmost restraint when exercising undue political advantage.
“Given his rich pedigree in popular political struggle, we urge that Mr President not behave or act in a way that puts a question mark on his credentials.
“Finally, it is given or expected that Mr President shall act at all times in the over all best interest of the nation”, the statement added.