NIGERIA: The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has suspended the ongoing Local Government Service recruitment exercise following allegations of racketeering and widespread irregularities.
The development follows public outcry among residents, many of whom had earlier raised concerns over alleged monetisation of job slots and lack of transparency in the recruitment process.
The decision, announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Owan Enoh, comes amid mounting pressure over the credibility of the exercise.
According to the government, the suspension is part of immediate measures to restore public confidence and ensure that due process is followed in the recruitment of personnel into the local government system.
Professor Enoh disclosed that the governor has also approved the constitution of a five‑man panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations and determine the extent of infractions in the recruitment process.
“The panel will review the propriety, legitimacy and procedures of the recruitment exercise, and invite the public to make oral or written representations with respect to alleged discrepancies and irregularities,” the statement said.
It was further gathered that the committee has been mandated to scrutinise the actual payroll across the 18 Local Government Councils, amid concerns over possible inflation of workforce figures.
To ensure broad participation, the panel is expected to sit across the three senatorial districts of the state and may summon individuals considered relevant to its investigation. The schedule for its sittings will be announced in due course.
The government noted that the suspension and subsequent probe underscore its commitment to fairness, accountability, and good governance, assuring residents that anyone found culpable in the alleged racketeering would be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
The panel is chaired by E. Gershom Davis, with John Ndifon, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Itita, and Enoh Oweh as members, while Ntunkae Mary Ikwen will serve as secretary.
