By the time the International Labour Day (May 1, 2025) approached, workers in Rivers State were down in spirit. Democracy which they fought for through the labour Movement had disappeared in the state. The top layer of the public offices was scraped off, creating a pool of unemployed ‘big men’.
Traders and transporters reported that gloom was everywhere and that purchasing power was down in the state.
Workers complained of a lull in the offices because the connection between the workforce and leadership was cut off.
Salaries were not paid, they said, and pensions were pushed down the pecking order. Minimum wage was not on the table and most arrears were forgotten. Workers said the N2bn per month given by the suspended administration to pensioners each month to continue gradual clearance of the arrears was stopped. Gloom was everywhere.
This was the situation as May Day fast approached. Since the coming of the Sim Fubara administration, workers smiled at Christmas with N100,000 pocket money each. May Day became a happy day again as the governor doled out transport money to encourage workers to celebrate their day. This made most joints and supermarkets bubble after the marchpast and parade of May Day as happy workers sauntered into the city. Now, all that was gone.
This was so bad that a forum of former Labour leaders summoned a press briefing where they called on the serving Labour leaders to remember their ‘left hand’ that used to give uppercut to autocrats and dictators. They called on the serving leaders to join the demand for return of democracy in the state and return of Gov Sim Fubara.
To confirm the foul mood, the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) fired a memo to the Rivers State Chapter to shun the parade at the stadium but to show anger at the state NLC secretariat on No. 12 Igboukwu Street on D-Line in Port Harcourt starting 8am and carry such placards as would convey the angst of Labour over suspension of democracy and scrapping of democratic institutions in the state.
The memo signed by Ismaila Bello, the deputy secretary-general of the NLC, urging Labour not to smile was delivered to all affiliate unions. It read: “Given the peculiar circumstance of subversion of democratic governance in Rivers State, the occasion does not call for fanfare but critical reflection on the need to restore democratic governance and to place the people at the centre of leadership.
“You are, therefore, directed to organize peaceful rally within the premises of the NLC at No. 12 Igboukwu Street on D-Line in Port Harcourt at 8am.”
It was on this that the May Day celebrations in Rivers State were done low-key on Thursday, May 1, 2025, as the state council of the NLC shunned the traditional fanfare usually held at the Isaac Boro Park, all to press home a demand for a restoration of our democracy in compliance with the directive of the national body.
With the theme, ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship’, the 2025 May Day celebration in the state equally shunned the traditional goodwill message from the state government that would have been delivered by Ibok-ette Ibas, the Sole Administrator, who is a retired vice admiral, represented by Ibibia Worika, a law professor who is the Secretary to the State Government, as well as Yingi Brown, Head of Service.
Alex Ikechi Agwanwor, State Chairman of the NLC, noted the happenings in Rivers State in the past one month, and the suspension of all democratically elected government institutions in Rivers State, as he urged citizens to remain steadfast, be law-abiding and carry out their legitimate duties without fear or intimidation and to avoid acts that could lead or trigger provocation.”
He said, “The organized 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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to use his good offices 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 good working relationship with our elected representatives under a democratic system of government. 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 it is in other states of the federation.”
Agwanwor however frowned at the buildup of pension arrears and payment of gratuity. He said that, “As organized labour centre and committed leaders of workers in the state, we will not continue to fold our hands and watch some of our heroes and veterans in the union die in penury after putting more than half of their life existence in service and with nothing to show.
“As a matter of urgency, therefore, we are demanding the immediate payment of the backlog pension arrears owed the pensioners of Rivers State and the implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage approved for the federal pensioners to the Rivers State pensioners. Gratuity and death benefits of pensioners should be paid without further delay.”
Sam Eke, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Rivers State Council, who is of the 2012 to date pensioners batch in the state, lamented that for the months of March and April, since the suspension of the state governor, no gratuity was released in the state.
“So, we are pleading with him through your media. He should release that money so that pensioners can get what is due them as gratuity.
“The monthly pension is what we have been getting from the previous governments, as at when due. But the gratuity and the arrears were owed by the previous administration, during Nyesom Wikes administration. And up to date, those arrears cannot be cleared because they are in bulk form.
“We are pleading that you release the N2bn the suspended governor (Siminalayi Fubara) was releasing so that the Ministry of Finance can use that to clear the arrears and also attend to gratuity and debt benefits. That is our prayer. We are asking that something meaningful should be done so that elder statesmen that have served the state could not suffer in the midst of this political crisis”, he said.
He described the Sole Administrator’s announcement that pensioners in the state would enjoy the minimum pension as prescribed by the Federal Government as a welcome development, while appealing that arrears should be cleared to save the lives of these elderly people who have served the state meritoriously.
Various aspects of what the workers were used to since the coming of Fubara on May 19, 2023, seemed suspended. It included free transport with workers free bus, minimum wage, freebee, some job placements, etc.
Apparently realizing the danger of growing discontent from a sensitive sector such as Labour, the Sole Administrator seemed forced to act. He moved to set up a meeting with Labour Leaders in the state.
A statement that flew out of the Government House signed by Hector Igbi
In line with his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and industrial harmony, the Administrator of Rivers State, His Excellency, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, today held a productive meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The engagement provided a platform for frank discussions on key labour matters was issued on behalf of the administrator by Hector Igbikiowubo, his Senior Special Assisant (SSA-Media) said the Administrator restated government’s dedication to improving working conditions for all civil servants in the state.
Read also: May Day: What Nigerian workers really want
Key fallouts of the meeting in Govt House include resolutions on matters such as timely payment of salaries and pensions whereby the Administrator reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees.
Others included resolution of salary arrears saying approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
On minimum wage issue, the resolution said all Local Government employees were now receiving the approved minimum wage. On ongoing planned initiates, the sole administrator said Government was reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline.
On transportation, the Solad mentioned plans to unleash the intervention buses reintroduced to ease workers’ commute, with plans to expand the fleet. The statement said capacity-building where specialized leadership training for top civil servants would commence within two weeks. Also, the vexed issue of pensioner’s welfare issues was treated thus the resolution that active consideration was being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
The Administrator commended workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace. “This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
Government reported that Labour seemed impressed when Agwanwor, the State NLC Chairman, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare. He was quoted to have expressed appreciation for the Solad’s disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He was also said to have expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The state said: “The Rivers State Government assures all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and urges continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
May Day has come and gone, but many would want the ability of the sole administrator to prevent breakdown of peace and harmony in the troubled state by controlling Labour. This is because other segments of the Rivers State seem to wait.
It is thus left to be seen if the dangling mood of the workers would swing to smiles or swing back to gloom; or if there is any carrot the workers would chew that would wipe away the bitter taste of state of emergency with sweep away of their governor.
