…Information Commissioner says circular not before him
By Inemesit Friday
Teachers in Cross River State have criticised a directive allegedly issued by the State Senior Secondary Education Board directing public secondary school principals and teachers to participate in an endorsement rally for Governor Bassey Otu ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Some teachers who spoke in Calabar on Wednesday condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to prioritise politics over the welfare of teachers and the pressing challenges confronting the education sector in the state.
The teachers, who requested anonymity, pointed to lingering concerns such as unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, shortage of teachers and poor infrastructure in public schools, insisting that government attention should be focused on improving learning conditions rather than political mobilisation.
One of the teachers said the education sector had continued to suffer neglect despite repeated complaints by workers.
“We still have issues of unpaid salaries, irregular promotions, shortage of teachers and poor infrastructure in schools, yet attention is being shifted to politics,” the teacher said.
Another teacher faulted the directive, arguing that teachers should be free to support candidates of their choice without pressure from government authorities.
“Politics is a matter of personal conviction and interest. Teachers should not be compelled to endorse any candidate when they ought to make such decisions willingly,” the source stated.
A separate respondent also lamented the condition of schools across the state, noting that many teachers handle several subjects because of manpower shortages.
According to the teacher, laboratories and libraries in many schools are either poorly equipped or completely absent, while implementation of the new minimum wage remains incomplete.
The controversy followed a circular reportedly issued by the State Senior Secondary Education Board and dated May 18, 2026.
The circular, identified as SSEB Circular No. 08 of 2026 and signed by the Board Secretary, Prince Lawrence Eyo Nsa, directed principals through the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools to attend an endorsement rally scheduled for May 26, 2026, at the West African Peoples Institute in Calabar.
Principals in the Southern Senatorial District were also instructed to mobilise teachers for the programme, which was described in the circular as an appreciation rally for the governor’s education policies and people centred administration.
The directive has since generated criticism among education stakeholders, with many insisting that the welfare of teachers and rehabilitation of schools should take precedence over political activities.
When contacted, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, said he had not seen the circular and could therefore not comment on it.
“I have not seen any circular of that nature, so I cannot react to it. If you send it to me, then I will know how to respond,” he said.