Civil servants in Rivers State, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), have announced their decision to boycott the upcoming May Day celebrations. This action is in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state and the emergency rule imposed by the Federal Government in March 2025.
The decision, as communicated by the NCSU, is a direct protest against the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly. The Federal Government subsequently appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the sole administrator for the state.
According to Chukwuka Osumah, the leader of the NCSU in Rivers State, the boycott is an act of solidarity with the suspended Governor Fubara. Mr. Osumah stated that the union acknowledges the positive impact of Governor Fubara’s administration on the welfare of civil servants in the state.
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Furthermore, Mr. Osumah indicated that the NCSU’s stance aligns with directives issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has instructed its affiliates to conduct May Day rallies within their respective organizational premises rather than participating in public celebrations under the current circumstances.
The emergency rule, which followed a period of political unrest in Rivers State, has drawn criticism from various quarters, with concerns raised regarding its constitutionality. The NCSU also highlighted the adverse economic consequences of the political situation, including reports of unpaid salaries affecting local government workers in the state. The union has warned of potential further industrial actions by organized labor if these issues are not addressed.
The planned boycott signifies a deepening of the crisis in Rivers State and underscores the widespread unease among civil servants regarding the current political dispensation. The implications of this action on the traditional May Day observances in the state remain to be seen.
