Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced a new approach to political appointments. He declared that his administration will no longer tolerate aides nominating family members for positions. Instead, the government will rely on lists of eligible persons submitted by the 196 wards across the state.
Speaking to ex‑agitators and farmers who had completed training in innovative farming in Calabar, Otu emphasized that his government is people‑centred and intends to ensure appointments are spread across all parts of the state. He said he will personally collect the lists from wards and local government areas, and that town‑hall meetings will be held to receive these submissions. This new system aims to increase transparency and fairness in the appointment process.
The governor noted that previous appointments had been marred by committee members nominating relatives, a practice he described as unacceptable. He urged prospective appointees to return to their wards and local government areas, stressing that only lists submitted through this process will be considered.
Cross River State plans to make more appointments from next month using the ward‑based system, a move expected to promote inclusivity and representation in the state’s governance structure. By gathering lists of eligible persons from the grassroots level, the government hopes to tap into talent and expertise available throughout the state.
Otu’s announcement marks a shift toward a more decentralized and participatory approach to governance. The use of town‑hall meetings and ward‑level submissions is intended to boost citizen engagement and ensure a more transparent, accountable appointment process. As the state prepares for the next round of appointments, observers will watch how this new approach is implemented and what impact it will have on governance and development.
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