The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it may withdraw its members from all duties if the Federal High Court’s recent judgement, which bars the Central Bank of Nigeria from allocating funds to Rivers State, impacts workers’ welfare.
The NLC stance was declared on Thursday by the Rivers State Council of the NLC during an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, led by state NLC Chairman Alex Agwanwo.
Agwanwo condemned the court’s ruling, saying the judge failed to consider the adverse impact it would have on the people of Rivers State. He described the decision as “anti-development,” stressing that it lacks both empathy and a “human face,” as it disregards the needs of state residents and government workers.
“Everyone understands the implications of cutting off a state’s allocation,” Agwanwo said. “It means inevitable hardship and a standstill in governance. Without funds, governance can’t operate effectively, and essential services will be disrupted.”
Agwanwo voiced particular concern for the state’s workforce, stating that local and state government employees, as well as private sector businesses operating in Rivers State, would be heavily impacted by the ruling. He warned that without a reversal of the judgement, the NLC would have no choice but to call for a withdrawal of its members’ services across the state.
“We urge the judiciary to consider the well-being of the masses. Many politicians have family members working in the state who will be affected if allocations are stopped. We call on higher courts to reverse this judgement in the interest of justice and welfare,” he added.
The Rivers State NLC has urged the courts to prioritize the interests of the citizens in their decisions, warning that any threat to the livelihood of their members would result in widespread service withdrawals across the state.
