Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has ordered an immediate suspension of the ongoing recruitment exercise by the State Local Government Service Commission following allegations of corruption and large-scale employment racketeering.
The directive, announced in a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, on Thursday, comes after reports of irregularities and gross abuse of office within the commission’s hiring process.
In a related move, Governor Otu accepted the resignation of the commission’s chairman, Mr. Darlington Eyo, who was allegedly linked to the recruitment scandal.
The governor emphasized that the suspension was necessary to uphold transparency and accountability in public service. He also disclosed that a new and credible recruitment process would soon be introduced.
According to the statement, Otu said, “I have set up a special review committee to investigate the recruitment scandal and identify all individuals responsible for the malpractice.”
“The committee is expected to recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions in line with the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption,” he added.
Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness and integrity in governance, warning that no act of impunity or abuse of office would be condoned under his leadership.
He noted that transparency, accountability, and merit remained the cornerstone of his “People-First” administration, assuring citizens that future recruitment into the local government system would be strictly based on merit and competence.
