The Rivers State Council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has called on the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the state to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the interest of workers and the general public.
The call was contained in a press statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and signed by the State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Dr. Udoka Josiah.
The Congress warned that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has the potential to disrupt governance and stall development if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the lingering disputes.
According to the statement, the TUC expressed concern that after six months of emergency rule in the state, political actors have failed to reconcile their differences and are now returning to pre-emergency rule disagreements, thereby overheating the polity.
“Where two elephants are fighting, the grass suffers. In this case, the grass represents the workers and the good people of Rivers State,” the statement read.
The TUC Chairman stressed the need for the Executive and Legislature to work together to deliver democratic dividends to the people of Rivers State, noting that prolonged political impasse only worsens the hardship faced by ordinary citizens.
Comrade Udoka also appealed to traditional institutions, religious leaders, elders, and other stakeholders in the state to intervene by facilitating an enduring reconciliation among the political actors.
He further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to step in and help resolve the crisis in the interest of peace and stability in Rivers State.
The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare of workers and called on all parties to put the interest of the state above political differences.
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OFFICE OF THE STATE CHAIRMAN
PRESS STATEMENT 20TH January 2026
TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (TUC) RIVERS STATE
COUNCILCALLS FOR AN END TO THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN THE STATE:
URGES PARTIES TO EMBRACE PEACE 4
1. The Rivers State Council of The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has called on the State Legislature and the Executive to shield their swords and embrace peace for the interest of workers and the people of Rivers State, as the ongoing political crisis in the State has potent of not only disrupting governance but will impede the development of the State.
2. In a statement signed by Comrade Dr. Udoka Josiah the Chairman of the TUC
River State Council, the Congress emphasized that there is need for the Executive and the Legislature to work together in order to deliver democracy dividends to the people of River State.
3. The Congress wondered that, after six (6) months of suspending democracy in
River State, political actors could not reconcile their differences, instead, they are returning to the pre-emergency rule issues with continuance overheating of the polity in the State. “Where two elephants are fighting the grass suffers”and in this case, the grass constitute workers and good people of River State.
Comrade Udoka decried the continuous impasses between the two arms
Government and call on the traditional Institutions, the clergies, the elders, and other stakeholders of Rivers State to intervene in the current political crisis that is threatening the peace of the State by suing for an enduring reconciliation on the issues at stake.
4. The TUC Chairman hereby urges His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Leadership of AI
Progressive Congress (APC) to also intervene to put an end to the political crisis in
Rivers State.
Comrade Udoka Ugochukwu Josiah, PhD, MCIA
State Chairman
