Cross River: Political Offices Will No Longer Be Shared Within Family Members, Says Gov. Otu

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has vowed to end the trend of appointing multiple members of the same family into government offices, stressing that his administration will no longer condone such practices.

Speaking in Calabar on Wednesday, during an interaction with ex-agitators and farmers after their training in innovative farming, the governor disclosed that many political appointees in previous lists were family nominees.

He described the development as unfair and contrary to his people-centred government.

“We’re going to do more political appointments. But I had serious issues with previous appointments.

“The committee saddled with nominating names would mostly nominate their family members,” Otu said.

He emphasised that henceforth, appointments would be spread across the state to ensure inclusiveness and fairness.

“Appointments are not privileges for a few families; they are opportunities for service, and every Cross Riverian deserves a chance,” he added.

The governor revealed that new appointments will begin next month but will be drawn from lists of eligible persons submitted from the 196 wards in Cross River State.

He further explained that he will personally move across local government areas to collect lists during town hall meetings with stakeholders.

“Our government is built on fairness and transparency. Every ward and every community must feel represented in the decisions we make,” Otu stressed.

“Henceforth, I’ll move around the local government areas and their wards where I shall hold town hall meetings where each ward will submit their lists for appointments.

“So those that desire appointments should return to their wards and LGAs.

“Nobody will be allowed to bring only their family members for appointments,” he added.

“This government belongs to all of us, not to a select group.

“I will not sit back and watch positions become family inheritances,” the governor declared.