Group Calls For Removal Of CROSIEC Chairman, Ushie, Says Tenure Has Expired
By Ndifereke BASSEY
A group, Cross River Electoral Initiative And Good Governance Forum ( CREIAGGF) has called for removal of Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) chairman, Dr. Mike Ushie, alleging that his tenure has since expired.
The group in a statement titled "Timer for CROSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Ushie, to resign honourably, and signed by the coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Edem Asuquo and Secretary, Comrade Joe Agbor and made available to THE BEAGLE NEWS, said Ushie has spent eight years as CROSIEC chairman and conducted only one local government election in 2020.
The statement read in part: "It seems Dr. Ushie has completely lost touch with his office and is bereft of ideas. We had expected that he would have brought in his wealth of experience to drive the electoral process and some reforms besides only conducting election.
"Ushie, as the head of the electoral umpire, should have from time to time called for stakeholders' meeting to brief them on happenings at the Commission and even engage in voter education of some sort and interface with the media on the way forward at the commission.
"Recall that Dr. Mike Ushie was appointed Chairman of the Commission in 2016, and he is from Obanliku LGA.
"Others members of the Commission include Mr. Matthew Ucheche, member, also from Obanliku, Barrister Eddy Morphy Idom, member from Ogoja, Barrister Joe Nandi, member from Boki, Mr. Neji Abang, member from Ikom, and Dr. Yakmeodoho Namowonso Yakmeodoho, member from Odukpani.
"Since then, Ushie has remained as chairman, claiming that he was re-appointed by former Governor Ben Ayade. By 2024 Ushie would have spent about 8 years in office as CROSIEC chairman and conducted only one election three years ago.
"If he was re-appointed, let him show us letter of re-confirmation from the State House of Assembly as usually the case. Let other members also show evidence of re-appointment or is he the only one re-appointed?"
Explaining that Ushie is a staff of the University of Calabar and at the same time the CROSEIC Chairman, the group said Governor Bassey Otu, on assumption of office on May 29, 2023, had dissolved all boards and commission and wondered why Ushie still remains in office.
"It is on this note that we call on Dr. Mike Ushie, to honourably resign from CROSIEC so that new lease of life can be injected into the Commission. It is crystal clear that he has overstayed his welcome and almost redundant for now.
"If he refuses, we call on Governor Bassey Otu to act fast, remove Ushie, rejig CROSIEC and conduct election for local government. The Commission under Ushie cannot guarantee us free, credible and fair election.
"We further call on stakeholders to lend their voice and ensure that the Commission and its Board members are dissolved," the group stated.
