Cross River APC members petition Gov Otu over Chief of Staff

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared war against Emmanuel Ironbar, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, sending a strongly worded petition to the governor to caution him.

The APC group, under the platform of the Emerging Progressives Leaders Forum (EPLF), reminded the Chief of Staff that the people of the state did not elect him as their governor.

In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the general secretary of the group, Francis Bassey, the group disclosed that there is growing discontent brewing within the Cross River State government as senior political appointees raise alarm over what they describe as the hostile and overpowering grip of the Chief of Staff on the running of state affairs.

According to Akpan, many within the administration have wondered how a single unelected official has effectively usurped the authority of constitutionally recognised office holders, creating a climate of intimidation and administrative paralysis.

While urging Governor Otu to confront the growing crisis or risk allowing his administration to be remembered as one commandeered from within, the APC group noted that: “There is only one elected Governor in Cross River State and we are begging him: Save us from the Chief of Staff before governance collapses.”

The group, however, expressed concern that coming weeks may determine not only the future of Governor Otu’s administration but the trajectory of democracy within the Cross River State.

“The Chief of Staff to the Governor has accumulated unprecedented influence, sidelining Commissioners and diverting control of critical government functions into his own hands.”

“He is not the Governor. There are complaints that appointees cannot access funds, execute projects, or even take basic decisions without his personal approval. They are tired and they need Governor Otu to take back control.

“The Chief of Staff is traditionally tasked with coordinating the governor’s schedule and staff, the situation in Cross River State is said to have gone far beyond acceptable limits. The report that the Chief of Staff now determines which ministries receive funding, which programmes move forward, who gains or loses political relevance, access to security and administrative approvals, are unacceptable,” the statement from the APC group read.

It further argued that the Chief of Staff should know that Commissioners are legally empowered to run their ministries, and not live in fear of falling out of favour.

“Some claimed that they have been reduced to ‘begging’ the Chief of Staff for funds already appropriated for their ministries. A number of appointees described their tenure as one of humiliation, noting that lavish appearances mask a stark reality of dependency and pressure.

“What is happening in Cross River State is a systemic inversion of authority. Fear is governing, not policy. Governor Bassey Otu, who rode into office on the crest of the popular “People First” mantra, still enjoys wide public goodwill. Many in the administration remain loyal to him are urging him to act before his legacy is permanently tainted.

“Silence now would mean he approves of what is happening. The people elected him—not the Chief of Staff. He must defend that mandate,” the statement read.