Chairman Rivers state chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Chikwuka Osumah, has said that the civil servants in the state would not participate in this year’s May Day celebrations.
Comrade Osumah attributed the decision to the ongoing political crisis and the imposition of emergency rule in the state.
He said further that the decision not to participate in the annual event stems from the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the unrest that has gripped the state.
Osumah stated that workers would stay away from the annual festivities as a gesture of solidarity with Governor Fubara, whom he said has given civil servants a “new lease of life and renewed a sense of belonging”.
He stated that the directive to shun the May Day celebrations align with instructions from the national headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which advised affiliate unions in the state to hold rallies within their premises instead.
On the recent pro- Fubara protests across Rivers state, Osumah said they demonstrated the governor’s popularity and the public’s affection for him and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly reinstate the suspended governor.
He also lauded the reported meeting between Tinubu and Fubara in London, describing it as “a bold pragmatic move to address the injustice” meted out to the governor.
Tinubu had in March 18, 2025 declared a state of emergency in Rivers state and suspended the governor, his deputy, and members of the Rivers state House of Assembly.
Thereafter, he appointed Vice Admiral lbok-Ete lbas (rtd) as the sole administrator of the state for the initial period of six months.