Thursday September 11, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
Labour Unions in the Akwa Ibom State civil service have kicked against the planned protest and strike scheduled for 15 September, 2025 by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state.
Chairman, Akwa Ibom NLC
The groups which includes, The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Akwa Ibom State chapter, in a statement jointly signed by its State Comrade Anestina Iweh, and its State Secretary, Comrade Ofunne Christopher Chidi, announced its withdrawal from the protest describing the proposed protest as personal vendetta.
The statement reads; “Governor Umo Eno has kept faith with local government workers by clearing gratuity arrears from 2014–2018 and currently 2019, paying pensions promptly, settling leave grants, and paying promotion arrears. With these strides, NULGE sees no justification to participate in the proposed NLC protest.”
The union reaffirmed its loyalty, adding, “We stand firmly with the governor and pledge continued solidarity with his administration.”
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Akwa Ibom State also registered their displeasure on planned protest, noting that the NLC step was wrong, while announcing their withdrawal from the protest.
The pensioners noted that the NLC’s major demand which is the ₦32,000 pension increase had already been discussed with the Head of Service on August 26, 2025.
In its communiqué, NUP explained, “The implementation date is not yet due. We therefore direct all our members not to join the protest but to await the outcome of the agreement already reached with the Head of Service.”
In a separate development, Sir Jeremiah Efe, an accountant earlier posted from Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Service Commission to a Ministry, now a Director, Account and Finance at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, also issued a formal letter dissociating himself from the planned protest and strike action.
He stated: “I wish to make it categorically clear that I am neither in support of nor sponsoring any strike action by NLC, PASAN, or their affiliates. I remain loyal to the government of Akwa Ibom State as I prepare for my retirement from service.”
The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) rising from an emergency meeting on September 10 at the AUPTRE Secretariat, Uyo, the Council reviewed the NLC’s grievances over staff postings at the State House of Assembly Commission and the non-implementation of the ₦32,000 pension increase.
In its resolution, JPSNC declared: “Given the divisions within the labour movement, we are not part of the planned NLC protest. We urge the government and unions to embrace dialogue noting that it’s better to jaw-jaw rather than war-war—in resolving all outstanding issues.”
The resolution was signed by Comrade Etido Udo, Chairman, and Comrade Kingsley B. Ekong, Secretary, JPSNC.
Speaking this morning on Passion 94.5Fm Program, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Relations, Sir Udo Kerian while filing questions from newsmen maintained that issue in contention is a settled matter , argued, that there was no need for any protest or strike by any union, or person.
Efforts to speak with the NLC Chairman in the State, Comrade Sunny James proved abortive as his numbers weren’t available.