By Kelvin Ololo
Organized 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 risk an indefinite strike that could cripple public services across the state.
The ultimatum, jointly signed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), was formally conveyed to the Governor in a letter dated 30 January 2026 and acknowledged by the Governor’s Office on 2 February 2026.
In the strongly worded correspondence titled “Final Seven (7) Days Ultimatum for the Immediate Resolution of Outstanding Labour Issues in Cross River State,” organized labour accused the state government of sustained silence, policy reversals and actions capable of undermining industrial harmony.
Broken Engagements, Renewed Anger
According to the letter, the ultimatum follows the government’s failure to act on two earlier notices, a 21-day ultimatum issued on 17 July 2025 and a 14-day notice served on 26 November 2025 both of which, labour said, were ignored despite repeated engagements.
Labour leaders noted that further action had earlier been suspended in the interest of peace after 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 senior officials who promised to relay workers’ demands to the Governor.
However, the unions said recent government actions had reopened tensions, particularly moves relating to 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,” organized labour stated, “send a disturbing message and aggressively depress the industrial environment in the state.”
The unions reaffirmed a wide range of unresolved issues, including:Salary disparity between state and local government workers, non-implementation of promotions, delays and arrears in local government salaries, pension harmonization and contributory pension concerns, planned disengagement of newly employed unified local government staff, non-inclusion of labour in key government programs and welfare agitations by health workers and magistrates.
Others are outstanding allowances for Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers, and refusal by the Accountant-General to disclose the salary template used for state workers
Following an emergency meeting held on 27 January 2026, organised labour resolved to demand total resolution of all listed issues within seven days from 3 February 2026. Failure to comply, the unions warned, will compel them to embark on an indefinite strike action across the state.
Despite the hardline stance, labour leaders said they remain committed to industrial peace and appealed to Governor Otu to intervene decisively in line with his administration’s much-publicized “Season of Sweetness” mantra.
The letter was jointly signed by Comr. (Amb.) Gregory Olayi – State Chairman of the NLC; Comrade Monday Ogbodum – State Chairman of the TUC; Comrade Raymond A. Akan – Chairman of the JNC; alongside Comrade Odong Bassey Eke (Secretary, NLC) and Comrade. Ken Bassey ACA (Secretary, TUC).
Copies of the ultimatum were also formally acknowledged by the Deputy Governor’s Office, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, the Commissioner of Police, the Federal Ministry of Labour, and other relevant authorities.
As the seven-day clock ticks, attention now shifts to the Governor’s next move, one that could either avert a crippling shutdown or usher Cross River State into a fresh wave of industrial unrest.
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