Cross River Labour issues Seven-Day ultimatum to Gov Otu, threatens indefinite strike

Organised Labour in Cross River State has issued a final seven-day ultimatum to Governor Bassey Otu, demanding the immediate resolution of long-standing labour disputes or face an indefinite strike capable of paralysing public services across the state.

The ultimatum was jointly issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), and formally conveyed to the Governor in a letter dated January 30, 2026, which was acknowledged by the Governor’s Office on February 2, 2026.

Titled “Final Seven (7) Days Ultimatum for the Immediate Resolution of Outstanding Labour Issues in Cross River State,” the letter accused the state government of sustained silence, policy reversals and actions capable of undermining industrial harmony.

Previous Ultimatums Ignored

Organised labour said the latest action followed the government’s failure to respond to two earlier ultimatums, a 21-day notice issued on July 17, 2025, and a 14-day notice served on November 26, 2025, despite what the unions described as repeated engagements.

Labour leaders explained that planned industrial action was earlier suspended in the interest of peace following interventions by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Eno, the Head of Service, and other top officials who reportedly pledged to convey workers’ demands to the Governor.

However, the unions said tensions were reignited by recent government actions, including issues surrounding the Head of Service position, the abrogation of the existing Local Government Law as amended in 2025, and alleged violations of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

“These actions send a disturbing message and aggressively depress the industrial environment in the state,” the unions stated.

Key Demands

Organised labour listed several unresolved issues, including salary disparities between state and local government workers, non-implementation of promotions, delays and arrears in local government salaries, pension harmonisation and contributory pension concerns, and the planned disengagement of newly employed unified local government staff.

Other grievances include the exclusion of labour from key government programmes, welfare demands by health workers and magistrates, outstanding allowances for Radio, Television and Theatre Arts workers, and the refusal of the Accountant-General to disclose the salary template used for state workers.

Following an emergency meeting held on January 27, 2026, the unions resolved to demand the total resolution of all outstanding issues within seven days, effective from February 3, 2026. Failure to comply, they warned, would trigger an indefinite strike across the state.

Despite the hardline stance, labour leaders reiterated their commitment to industrial peace and appealed to Governor Otu to intervene decisively, in line with his administration’s “Season of Sweetness” mantra.

The ultimatum was jointly signed by Comr. (Amb.) Gregory Olayi (NLC Chairman), Comrade Monday Ogbodum (TUC Chairman), Comrade Raymond A. Akan (JNC Chairman), alongside Comrade Odong Bassey Eke (NLC Secretary) and Comrade Ken Bassey ACA (TUC Secretary).

Copies were also forwarded to the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, Commissioner of Police, Federal Ministry of Labour, and other relevant authorities.

As the seven-day deadline runs, attention is now fixed on the Governor’s response, a decision that could either avert a shutdown or plunge Cross River State into fresh industrial unrest.

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