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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Cross River State governor Senator Bassey Otu issued a marching order to members of his executive council.
The governor, during last week’s executive council meeting ordered members of his cabinet with political ambitions to quit his administration within eight days.
In a release made available by his Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Linus Obogo, the governor hinged his decision on the need for clarity of purpose in governance saying public office is a sacred trust and must not be conflated by personal political pursuits.
“Any member of this Council who harbours political ambitions for the 2027 elections must, in the interest of propriety and focus, tender his or her resignation on or before March 26, 2026.
“Public office is a sacred trust. It must not be conflated with personal political pursuits. We owe our people undivided attention, and this administration will not compromise on that principle.
“Our mandate at this critical time is to serve diligently, to deliver on our promises, and to ensure that governance is not encumbered by premature political engagements”, the governor said.
Governor Otu also stressed that the directive is intended to guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants, while protecting the integrity of government institutions.
However, barely hours to the deadline of the directive, investigations show that no aide has tendered his resignation yet.
More than ten commissioners including heads of agencies were, before the directive warming up for various political offices across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Some of the aides reportedly nursing 2027 political ambitions include the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Oden Ewa.
Oden Ewa has his eyes firmly on the senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the Central Senatorial District.
A young and promising politician, Ewa hopes do displace the incumbent and former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Senator Eteng Jonas.
Ewa is relatively new in the political theatre of the district and has recently been extending enormous goodwill to his potential constituents.
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Others include the Commissioner for Health Henry Egbe Ayuk who is reportedly eyeing the Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency ticket.
Dr. Ayuk aims to replace the incumbent, Mike Etaba who has served three terms and is himself eyeing a fourth term in office.
Similarly, Commissioner for Youth Development, Ijom Ukam who is eyeing the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency ticket.
Other politicians eyeing various offices include Commissioner for Finance, Michael Odere from the Obudu Bekwarra Obanliku axis, who is speculated to be eyeing a seat in the national assembly.
Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi from Yakurr Abi is reportedly eyeing the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency ticket as well as Chief Victor Fidelis Idem, a key stakeholder in Calabar Municipality who may potentially run for the Calabar Municipality /Odukpani Federal Constituency elections.
However barely hours to the deadline, no resignations yet and reports indicate that having not expressly received endorsement by their boss, some have developed cold feet about the political adventure.
Some sources also say some aides are tidying up in their respective offices and will quit on the deadline day. With the political coast not very clear, and the risks very high, will they gamble, time will tell how far they are willing to go.
