NLC cancels May Day celebrations in Rivers, Edo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cancelled centralised May Day celebrations in Rivers and Edo states, citing the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers and alleged political interference in the affairs of its Edo State council.

The NLC national leadership has directed all affiliated industrial unions in Rivers State to organise and limit the celebrations to the state NLC secretariat.

Similarly, unions in Edo State are to commemorate the day independently at their respective union secretariats.

It was gathered that the directive was issued in separate letters dated April 22, 2025, to the NLC chairmen in both states, which were signed by the Deputy General Secretary of the NLC, Ismail Bello.

The NLC strongly opposes the emergency rule in Rivers State, which involves appointing a sole administrator, and has called for the reinstatement of the elected government.

In Edo State, the NLC is at odds with the current administration over alleged interference and the creation of factions within the state council.

In the letter to Rivers State NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, the group stated: “In line with our tradition, Workers’ Day will be commemorated on May 1, 2025. This year, Congress has finalised arrangements to mark the day with the theme, ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,’ to be observed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

MEANWHILE, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed concerns over what it describes as an undue delay by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in fixing a hearing date for the legal challenge against the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the controversial suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA alleged that the delay could be a red flag indicating that Justices of the apex court may be apprehensive about deciding on the landmark constitutional questions raised by the suit.

The rights group warned that the perceived reluctance to act decisively threatens Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

The group suggested that the delay could be a tacit move to pressure the appellants, 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), into seeking a political settlement with the Federal Government, rather than obtaining a judicial resolution.

HURIWA also criticised the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly exploiting the situation to blackmail some PDP governors into switching allegiance or endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term, under the threat of political retribution.