C’River 2027: Outrage as SSEB orders teachers to endorse Gov Otu’s second term bid

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Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River State

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…I can’t react to a circular I haven’t seen – Commissioner

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By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

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Secondary school teachers in Cross River State have expressed outrage over a directive by the State Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB) compelling them to publicly endorse Governor Bassey Otu and his deputy for a second term in office.

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The teachers, who spoke on condition of anonymity in Calabar on Wednesday, condemned what they described as the government’s misplaced priority, accusing it of elevating political endorsement above teachers’ welfare and the overall development of the education sector.

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They highlighted persistent neglect of critical issues, including unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, acute teacher shortages, and dilapidated school infrastructure, arguing that these challenges should take centre stage instead of forced political mobilisation.

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“We have issues of unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, teacher shortages, and poor school infrastructure, yet all they care about is politics,” one teacher lamented.

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Another teacher who questioned the appropriateness of the directive said they should be allowed to make their choice without any form of coercion.

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“Politics is a game of interest, and our interest as teachers is to support our choice and one who will make us (teachers and education) a priority.

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“Why must we be forced to endorse a particular candidate of a political party when we should be allowed to willingly do that on our own?” he said.

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Another teacher described the government as insensitive to the plight of educators, adding that promotions were not regular.

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“Promotions are not regular, no incentive to motivate teachers, and the last minimum wage is yet to be fully implemented.

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“Our schools lack teachers. This had presented a situation where one teacher teaches many subjects. The worst of it is that our schools lack basic facilities; the library is just a name with nothing therein, and we lack laboratories,” he bemoaned

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The directive, contained in SSEB Circular No. 08 of 2026 dated May 18, 2026, and signed by Board Secretary Prince Lawrence Eyo Nsa on behalf of the Chairman, sighted by Vanguard Newspapers was routed through the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).

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It directs principals across the state to attend an endorsement rally scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the West African Peoples Institute (WAPI), Calabar, by 10:00 a.m.

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Principals in the Southern Senatorial District are specifically tasked with mobilising teachers for the event, which the Board framed as recognition of the governor’s “people-first impactful governance” and “commendable innovations and far-reaching education policies.”

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The circular urged strict compliance, stating it was “expedient” for ANCOPSS leadership, with SSEB support, to organise the rally.

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The development has intensified criticism of the state government for prioritising political loyalty over addressing longstanding grievances in the secondary education sub-sector, with teachers insisting that welfare and infrastructural deficits deserve urgent attention rather than endorsement rallies.

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When contacted, the Cross River State Commissioner for information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, said he wasn’t aware of any circular and therefore cannot react to such.

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“I have not seen any circular of that nature, so I cannot react to it. If you can send it to me, then I will know how to react to it,” he said.

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