By Abasi Ita
Organised Labour in Cross River State has issued a final seven-day ultimatum to Governor Bassey Otu, warning that failure to resolve lingering labour issues could lead to an indefinite strike capable of paralysing 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 conveyed to the Governor in a letter dated January 30, 2026, and acknowledged by the Governor’s Office on February 2, 2026.
In the letter titled Final Seven (7) Days Ultimatum for the Immediate Resolution of Outstanding Labour Issues in Cross River State, the unions accused the state government of prolonged silence, policy reversals and actions they said threaten industrial harmony.
Labour leaders said the ultimatum followed the government’s failure to act on two earlier notices a 21-day ultimatum issued on July 17, 2025, and a 14-day notice served on November 26, 2025, despite several engagements with government officials.
They recalled that planned industrial action was earlier 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 reportedly assured workers that their demands would be presented to the Governor.
However, the unions said tensions resurfaced following recent government actions, including developments concerning the Office of the Head of Service, the repeal of the 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 further depress the industrial climate in the state,” organised labour stated.
The unions listed several unresolved issues, including salary disparity between state and local government workers, non-implementation of promotions, outstanding local government salary arrears, pension harmonisation and contributory pension concerns, and plans to disengage newly employed unified local government staff.
Other grievances include the exclusion of labour from key government programmes, welfare demands by health workers and magistrates, unpaid 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, organised labour resolved to give the state government seven days from February 3, 2026, to fully address all outstanding issues. Failure to comply, the unions warned, would leave them with no option but to embark on an indefinite strike across the state.
Despite the warning, labour leaders said they remain committed to industrial peace and appealed to Governor Otu to intervene decisively in line with his administration’s “Season of Sweetness” agenda.
The letter was jointly signed by Comrade Gregory Olayi, State Chairman of the NLC; Comrade Monday Ogbodum, State Chairman of the TUC; and Comrade Raymond Akan, Chairman of the JNC, alongside Comrade Odong Bassey Eke, Secretary of the NLC, and Comrade Ken Bassey ACA, Secretary of the TUC.
Copies of the ultimatum were also acknowledged by the offices of the Deputy Governor, 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 deadline ticks away, attention is now on the state government’s response, with many hoping swift action will avert a shutdown and restore industrial calm in Cross River State.