By Peace Ejema And Agnes Etim
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS ) chapter has resumed its indefinite strike action over the state government’s failed promises.
The Union resolved to continue the indefinite strike suspended arising from an emergency congress held today, Monday 2 November, 2026, at the Prefab Hall of the institution’s Calabar main campus.
The Union unanimously resolved to resume their suspended strike action indefinitely pending the implementation of the 2025 Agreement entered into with the state government.
READ: UNICROSS ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Staff Welfare
This resolution is due to the Governor Bassey Otu’s inability to keep to his promise of paying the CATA, an insider said.
It is believed that the Governor made the promise in July at the Government House, Calabar during a meeting with the Union leaders and other school management led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey when he pleaded with them to suspend the strike and should be given 90 days to meet their demands.
However, the 90 days elapsed 12 days ago – 21 of October, 2026, CrossRiverWatch gathered.
“Till date, we have not received September and October salaries. This is the major reason for the resumption of the suspended strike. Most state universities in the South South have received their own CATA as their governors have implemented the FG agreement with ASUU,” the source said.
READ ALSO: Governor Otu Meets UNICROSS Management, ASUU Leadership In Push To End Strike
Meanwhile, the Chairman of ASUU, UNICROSS chapter, Dr. Patrick Ushie confirmed the industrial action to CrossRiverWatch.
Speaking to CrossRiverWatch on phone, the ASUU Chairman expressed disappointment over the state government’s inability to keep its promises and hear the plight of UNICROSS suffering lecturers.
“It was suspended that time because of the government intervention, but they have failed in the agreement so we just resumed back. This particular one. It’s still indefinite,” he said.
With rumors that their salaries and other agreements have been released but withheld by some forces, Dr. Patrick said: “We are hearing rumors, even though it’s not written on paper that the governor has given approval. But he gave approval three months ago, and obviously I have not been paid also, meaning that he didn’t follow up the approval.”
READ MORE: UNICROSS ASUU Suspends Strike
He noted that one of the reasons for the indefinite strike resumption is due to their owed salaries.
“Why are they not giving us the salary? It’s not as if it’s a gift, it’s a salary that we have worked for. As I speak with you now, they are owing us two months,” he disclosed.
He enjoined all ASUU members to down tools till the government agrees to their demands.
“No teaching, no supervision, no anything that affects our teaching staff,” he affirmed.
He assured that should their salaries and other agreements be met, they will not hesitate to resume duty the next day.
“That’s all. If they need to pay us tonight, tomorrow morning we’ll resume.”
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