The annual Workers’ Day celebration in Rivers State took a dramatic turn this year, as civil servants and labor unions transformed the 2025 May Day event into a protest rally in response to the state’s escalating political crisis and imposition of emergency rule.
Instead of the usual parades and festivities, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed its Rivers State Council to hold a peaceful rally at the NLC Secretariat in Port Harcourt.
The decision came in the wake of the controversial suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas as the state’s sole administrator, a move many view as a subversion of democratic governance.
In a letter dated April 22, 2025, and signed by Deputy General Secretary Comrade Ismail Bello, the NLC instructed all affiliate unions to mobilize for the rally.
The focus, the letter emphasized, would be on demanding the restoration of democracy, improved workers’ welfare, and justice for the people of Rivers State.
This year’s Workers’ Day theme, “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” captured the mood of the event, calling for sober reflection rather than celebration.
Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Chukwuka Osumah, announced that civil servants would boycott the traditional fanfare in solidarity with Governor Fubara, credited by many for initiating worker-friendly policies during his tenure.
Protesters also voiced concerns about the socio-economic issues, including the threat of job losses and worsening living conditions amid rising inflation.
Members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other labor groups expressed determination to use the rally to advocate for democratic restoration and a better standard of living for all Nigerians.