Gov. Bassey Otu
By Ita Williams, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has requested the State House of Assembly’s approval to reorganize the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), citing the Commission’s ineffectiveness in conducting local government council elections.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, the governor expressed his dismay at the “cavalier work attitude” of the CROSIEC Chairman and members, which has led to the state’s inability to hold local government elections scheduled for 2023.
The letter, addressed to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, sought the legislature’s approval to “remove the Chairman as well as all the Members of the commission owing to serial ineffectiveness” and to give the governor “the latitude to reorganize the Commission to enable the State to have elections to its Local Government Councils as soon as possible.”
Commenting on the governor’s request, the Speaker referred the matter to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution for in-depth study and recommendation.
Meanwhile, the CROSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Ushie, has tendered his resignation letter to the state government, dated July 17, 2024.
In a related development, the State House of Assembly has also received the governor’s request for the confirmation of nominees for appointment into the Local Government Service Commission, Board of Internal Revenue Service, and the State Privatization Council.
These requests have also been referred to the same House Committee for further legislative action.
