Governor Otu Halts Cross River LG Recruitment Amid Graft Allegations

Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, has halted the ongoing local government recruitment exercise following allegations of racketeering and serious irregularities.

The move comes after widespread complaints from residents, who raised concerns about the alleged sale of job slots and a lack of transparency in the process.

The suspension was confirmed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Owan Enoh, amid growing doubts about the credibility of the exercise.

According to the statement, the decision is aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring that proper procedures are followed in recruiting personnel into the local government system.

As part of the response, the governor has approved the setup of a five-member investigative panel to examine the allegations and uncover any wrongdoing in the recruitment process.

The panel is expected to assess how the exercise was conducted, review its legitimacy, and invite members of the public to submit complaints or evidence, either in writing or through oral presentations.

In addition, the committee has been tasked with auditing payroll records across all 18 local government areas in the state, amid concerns that workforce figures may have been inflated.

To encourage broad participation, the panel will hold sittings across the state’s three senatorial districts and may invite individuals considered relevant to the investigation.

The government said the suspension and probe reflect its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, assuring residents that anyone found guilty of misconduct will face appropriate legal consequences.