The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State have called off their planned protest against the continued police blockade of local government area secretariats.

The suspension was announced by the chairmen of both labour centres, who cited reports of potential violence instigated by individuals posing as union members. At a joint press briefing in Port Harcourt on Sunday, NLC Chairman Alex Agwanwor urged the police to apprehend anyone protesting under the union’s name on Monday.

Agwanwor also advised members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), who had originally proposed the protest, to await further directives from the labour centres. Alongside TUC Chairman Ikechukwu Onyefuru, Agwanwor dismissed allegations from former local government chairmen that the state’s labour leaders were politically biased.

On Friday, the unions had demanded that the police, who had taken over local government secretariats, vacate the premises. The meeting on Friday addressed three critical issues: the establishment and inauguration of caretaker committees in the 23 local government areas, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s call for a state of emergency in the state, and the police occupation of council secretariats.

Agwanwor acknowledged the police’s efforts to maintain peace but argued that denying workers access to their offices was a violation of their rights. He called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to direct the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to allow workers to access their offices for legitimate duties. The labour groups warned that if their request was ignored, they would mobilize their members to reclaim their offices.