The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made headlines by boycotting the traditional Workers’ Day celebration at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, in a dramatic shift aimed at protesting what it termed as the erosion of democracy in the state.
The decision followed a directive issued by the national leadership of the NLC, underscoring the gravity with which the organized labour movement views the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. The secretariat grounds were adorned with union colours as workers, clad in uniforms of their respective associations, marked the global Workers’ Day with a spirit of resistance rather than festivity.
Speaking to newsmen, a senior union official who preferred anonymity stated, “We are here to show that workers do not exist in isolation of the democratic environment. If the political system is corrupted or hijacked, our voices must be loud in protest. Today is not just about our welfare—it’s about our democracy.”
The boycott highlights growing tensions in the state’s political landscape, following the controversial suspension of Governor Fubara amid a protracted rift between political factions and accusations of executive overreach. Deputy Governor Odu and a number of lawmakers aligned with Fubara have also faced increasing political marginalization in recent months.
According to NLC sources, the union opted for this alternative celebration to send a clear message to both state and federal authorities that workers will not stand idle while constitutional governance is undermined.
“This Workers’ Day, we are not merely marching; we are resisting. The collapse of democratic norms in Rivers is an injury to all Nigerian workers. We cannot afford to be neutral,” said Comrade Ikechukwu Eze, a labour rights advocate present at the event.
The Rivers State boycott comes amid similar protests in other parts of Nigeria, where workers used the occasion to air grievances about inflation, non-payment of the new minimum wage, and anti-labour government policies. However, the stance taken in Rivers remains one of the most politically charged, as it entwines labour activism with constitutional advocacy.
Notably absent from this year’s traditional celebration were high-ranking state officials and security operatives typically present at the Isaac Boro Park venue. Meanwhile, police presence was reported to be low around the NLC Secretariat, avoiding confrontation.
National Labour leaders praised the Rivers chapter for what they described as “courageous defiance in defense of Nigerian democracy.” In a statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero commended the workers’ unity, saying, “Rivers workers have set a precedent—labour is not just about salaries; it is about justice, rights, and the protection of democratic institutions.”
With this bold move, the NLC has once again reaffirmed its relevance not only as a defender of workers’ rights but also as a vital stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
As the political drama in Rivers continues to unfold, the labour movement’s proactive stance may yet prove a turning point in the struggle for democratic accountability in the state.