Many have applauded Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State for releasing another batch of appointments this month, taking the tally to over 500 but the appointments have been lopsided, says an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholder.
The stakeholder who spoke under anonymity said there is no equity in the appointment as sensitive positions are being given to people from the Southern Senatorial District where the Governor hails from.
If you follow the politics in Cross River State, you’ll note that zoning is what put Otu in the Diamond Hill House. In fact, he needed not to put his CV before Cross Riverians since he’s from the South. His rival, Prof. Sandy Onor of the PDP’s CV was not even looked at because he’s from the Central Senatorial District.
“One will think that His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, a beneficiary of zoning will be fair in distributing his appointment, especially in sensitive positions but every list being released stays the same, with South taking the sensitive positions,” the APC stakeholder said.
The stakeholder pleads with Governor Otu, calling him to review his appointment to foster inclusion through zoning.
“I am pleading with His Excellency to review his appointments so far. I know he is a leader who listens, and I am confident he will do the right thing just like President Bola Tinubu did with the Governor Council of higher institutions.
“Let the top positions be shared equally. If one doesn’t tell the Governor, it will not be well because he heading the wrong way and that may affect him and doesn’t stand with his People’s First mantra. I know there are other positions that need to be filled, I am begging His Excellency to give it a taught and do the right thing,” the stakeholder added.
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Converseer reports that Cross River State is made up of three senatorial districts – North, Central and South, and the governorship position is rotated among the three districts.
Below are some of the sensitive positions held by the South:
1. State Forestry Commission (South)
2. State Civil Service Commission (South)
3. State Assembly Commission (South)
4. SUBEB (South)
5. Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission (South)
6. Accountant General (South)
7. IRS Chairman (South)
8. State Library Board (South)
9. Local Government Service Commission (South)
10. State Scholarship Board (South)
11. Bordercom (South)
12. Chairman of Science and Technical Education Board (South)
13. Executive Secretary of Science and Technical Education Board (South)
14. CRS NEWPAP (South)
15. CRS COE AKAMKPA (SOUTH)
16. CRGIA (South)
17. DG Due Process (South)
18. DG Tourism Bureau (South)
19. Auditor General of the State (South)
20. DG SEMA (South)
21. DG Border Communities (South)
22. DG Urban Renewal (South)
23. SEA (South)
24. Privatisation Council (South)
25. Estates Limited Akamkpa (South)
26. Waste Management (South)
27. Microfinance and Enterprise Development Board (South)
28. CTRA (South)
29. Inland Waterways Development Agency (South)
30. Community and Social Development Agency (South)