LG Service Commission Rejects HoS Circular on 4,000 Recruitment
The Cross River State Local Government Service Commission has rejected a circular issued by the Head of Service, Dr. Orok Bassey Okon, concerning the recruitment of 4,000 personnel into the Unified Local Government Service.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Chairman, Hon. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, the Commission said the recruitment exercise falls within its exclusive statutory mandate and will be conducted through a transparent, digital and merit-based process.
The reaction followed Circular No. 17/2026 with reference number GO/HOS/4/Vol. III/364, dated September 11, 2026, issued by the Head of Service.
The Commission said the clarification became necessary to set the record straight and align the exercise with the official position of the state government.
According to the Commission, recruitment into the Unified Local Government Service is the exclusive preserve of the Local Government Service Commission, subject only to the approval of the Governor and in line with the laws establishing it.
“It is not the duty of the Head of Service to recruit staff into the Local Government Service, nor to meddle in, direct, or interfere with the processes of the Local Government Service Commission,” the statement read.
It added that the Head of Service lacks the constitutional, statutory or administrative powers to perform such functions.
The dispute comes on the heels of the state government’s approval for the recruitment of 4,000 personnel to fill critical manpower gaps across the 18 local government areas.
The Commission clarified that the recruitment is strictly for local government jobs and is intended to replace the 2024/2025 exercise conducted by the defunct Local Government Service Commission.
It noted that the previous exercise had been invalidated and cancelled, except for 821 personnel whose appointments were duly approved by Governor Bassey Otu.
This figure includes 83 CROSIEC personnel earlier employed by the Civil Service Commission and later redesignated.
The Commission described the cancelled exercise as fundamentally flawed, alleging it lacked executive approval and was marred by job racketeering, commercialisation of employment slots, institutional complicity and non-compliance with extant laws and financial regulations.
It assured that the fresh recruitment will be carried out under its statutory mandate, with a digital recruitment portal to be unveiled in due course.
The Commission further stated that persons affected by the cancellation who possess the required qualifications are free and encouraged to reapply, adding that modalities for compensatory measures for genuine victims of the flawed process are being finalised.
It urged stakeholders and the general public to be guided by the official position of the state government and to disregard any contrary circular or directive aimed at usurping the lawful functions of the Commission.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to due process, transparency and merit as part of efforts to restore public confidence in local government administration in the state.
