TUC Clarifies Involvement in Rivers Crisis: Advocates for Members’ Welfare

• The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State clarifies its non-partisan stance, citing involvement due to political decisions’ impact on members
• TUC engages in dialogue with Governor Fubara to address challenges faced by parliamentary workers affected by political dynamics in Rivers State

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State, represented by Ikechukwu Onyefuru, clarified its participation in the political crisis in Rivers State, emphasizing that the union’s engagement is driven by the direct impact of political decisions on its members.

In an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Onyefuru explained that the TUC maintains a non-partisan stance and does not actively participate in politics. However, the union finds itself involved in the political dynamics of Rivers State due to the tangible effects of political actions and inactions on its members.

Highlighting an example, Onyefuru mentioned the plight of parliamentary workers associated with the TUC who operate within the House of Assembly complex. Currently facing challenges, these workers lack offices to carry out their duties, compelling the TUC to initiate a dialogue with Governor Fubara. The union aims to address the issue and seek alternative workspaces for these workers affected by the ongoing political situation.

The TUC recently organized a solidarity march for Governor Fubara, expressing appreciation for his commitment to improving the living conditions of workers in Rivers State. Onyefuru reiterated the union’s non-partisan stance but emphasized its responsibility to advocate for the welfare and working conditions of its members.

Rivers state political crisis and implications of political godfatherism in Nigeria

For close to six months now, Rivers state has been embroiled in tight political crisis; planned, executed and orchestrated by the immediate past governor Nyesom Wike and incumbent state governor, Sim Fubara.

After holding his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the jugular during the 2019 general elections which led to the party’s monumental loss in the said election, Wike was rewarded with the position of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Minister.

However, back home in his state, Ex-governor Wike is said to not being comfortable with the way the incumbent governor, Sim Fubara has been running the state without his consent.

In one of his outbursts when the situation escalated in October, Wike was said to have accused the incumbent governor of trying to render him politically irrelevant in the state.