The Nigeria Labour Congress on Thursday said the political crisis in Rivers State constituted a threat to the nation's democracy.
The NLC President NLC, Mr. Abdulwahed Omar, in a statement on Thursday said the shameful conduct of the Rivers State House of Assembly must be condemned by all Nigerians.
Omar said the actions of the lawmakers not only questioned their eligibility but also the readiness of the political class to defend the country's democracy.
The NLC, which deplored the attempt by five of the lawmakers to impeach a speaker who had the support of 26 members, said the move was condemnable.
The statement read, "The show of shame going on in the Rivers State House of Assembly calls for the condemnation of all well-meaning Nigerians.
"The Congress condemns this perfidy in the strongest terms as its implication questions not just the eligibility of some legislators, but the commitment of the political class to the sustainability of democracy in the country.
"While it is inconceivable and ridiculous in a democracy that five members of the House of Assembly would contemplate impeaching a Speaker who enjoys the support of 26 other members, more shameful are the tactics employed by the combatants in their desperation for power."
Omar also condemned the inability of the police to rise to their professional calling to maintain the peace in the assembly.
He said the unprofessional conduct of the police remained the explanation for the injuries sustained by the victims of the violence at the Assembly.
The statement added, "Further disturbing, if not disgusting was a pliant and sheepish police that ostensibly acted helplessly rather than intervene decisively as their duty demands to maintain order and peace by carting away or arresting trouble makers at the scene of the mayhem.
"For their lack of professionalism at the spot, the victims of this irrational and insane act of legislators and hooligans are lying in hospital with various degrees of injury, and the state soon enough could be caught in an orgy of violence and bloodletting."
The Punch