Analysts react to protests over 11-month salary arrears in C’River state

Local government workers in Cross River state recently took to the streets to protest over unpaid salaries spanning 11 months, sparking concerns over a total breakdown of essential services at the grassroots.

Despite a significant increase in federal allocations to states in 2026, the expected trickle-down effect to the third tier of government remains blocked by systemic bottlenecks.

Analysts warn that this national delay is fuelling a productivity crisis. When the personnel responsible for primary healthcare, local security, and sanitation are left without pay, the social contract begins to crumble, leaving the most vulnerable citizens at risk.

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In response, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened wider industrial action. Their demand remains straightforward: a guarantee of true local government autonomy and a transparent payment system to ensure that a month’s work consistently results in a month’s pay.

Muyiwa Akintunde, a public affairs analyst, expressed concern over the apparent disregard for judicial rulings on revenue distribution. “They go to the Supreme Court, and it’s been decided that when allocation is coming from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), it goes straight to each of the arms of government, Federal, State, and Local,” he noted. “My worry now is why, even with that legally instituted situation, local governments are not receiving their allocations directly.”

Akintunde suggested that the interference stems from a desire for control at the state level. “I think some states find a way to manipulate the system so that the money comes to them rather than going directly to the local government. It is deeply concerning that the tier of government nearest to the people is the one suffering the most.”

The crisis is often complicated by state-led audits, which analysts argue undermine the independence of local councils. While acknowledging the need for efficiency, Akintunde questioned the legality of such interventions.

“As much as I agree that we should streamline the workforce to ensure that only those actually working are earning money, I disagree with how it is being done,” he said.

“Unless autonomy is just word of mouth, a state government has no responsibility whatsoever to tell a local government that they are going to audit their staff. These funds are supposed to move from the federal revenue straight to the local government.”

Isiaka Gbadamosi, a public affairs analyst and SDG advocate, believes the states should do the needful.

“When you talk about employment, I think the states need to do the needful: identify who has been employed and who needs to go so that people can be paid , “Gbadamosi stated.

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“I believe this is the bane of the current situation. The workers have made their point, and state governments have no choice but to start paying them. It is embarrassing enough; it is not for a lack of money, but a matter of satisfying political interests left, right, and centre.”

As the protests continue, the pressure remains on the state authorities to resolve these “systemic bottlenecks” before the local government structure and the essential services it provides collapse entirely.