C-River Assembly, Gov Otu On Warpath Over Deputy Clerk’s Appointment

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – For moving to whittle down the Governor’s powers over approval of top Civil Service appointments in the State, the Cross River House of Assembly is reportedly swimming in troubled waters

Our usually reliable source said following its passage of the Cross River Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024 into law, the lawmakers many have inadvertently put themselves on the warpath against Governor Bassey Otu for very obvious reasons.

The source, who is conversant with the workings of the Governor’s office, hinted that the controversial bill was not only allegedly passed in bad faith by the lawmakers but also quite offensive in seeking to strip the governor of his statutory powers.

Forefront News further gathered that given some of its obnoxious provisions, there is no way Governor Otu can be convinced to sign into law such a bill which some insiders described as an ill-motivated move to oust his power of being the approving authority of those appointed to mount the saddle as either the  Clerk or Deputy Clerk of the Assembly.

Our source said by its new provisions, this amended bill confers powers on the Speaker, rather than the Governor, to hire and fire the two top Civil servants in the Assembly’s bureaucracy.

Further pointing out that the bill’s passage manifestly indicates a crack in the relationship between the legislative and the executive arms of government, the source said political commentators are now watching to see who blinks first in this perceived battle for supremacy.

Fillers emerging from the State House of Assembly indicate that about three weeks ago, the Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu had reportedly approved the appointment of Mr Patrick Eddy as the substantive Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, a move that insiders claimed angered the Speaker and some of his colleagues who allegedly preferred the person already acting in that capacity.

Reported to have felt slighted by the Governor’s action, Mr Speaker instinctively commenced the counter moves, whereby most of the lawmakers were drafted into the plot with the ‘deceitful conviction’ that their overwhelming support for the bill would attract the Governor’s attention to their current plight and engagement for improved welfare condition.

However, seeking to dispel rumours in certain quarters, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, while addressing issues around the now controversial amendment, assured that the bill was not out to spite anybody, but only aimed at giving opportunity to hardworking and deserving staff to be appointed into positions of higher authority.

According to him, the 10th Assembly will continue to ensure that hardworking staff enjoy due promotions as a moral booster for more effective service.

Sponsor of the bill that has been duly forwarded to the State Governor for his assent, Hon. Linus Etim Bassey, member representing Akamkpa II State Constituency and Deputy Whip of the Assembly, had noted that some provisions in the law were at variance with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

For Bassey, the amendments effected by the State Assembly will therefore correct such anomalies and make the bill to be in tandem with the Constitution.

Other lawmakers, who contributed to the debate on the floor, unanimously supported the amendments, maintaining that the job done will clearly address some aberrations in the law such as the appointment and discipline of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerks which presently are the Governor’s sole prerogative based on the Speaker’s recommendations.

They insisted that as an independent arm of government, the Legislature should be responsible for the appointment and discipline of principal officers of the Assembly.

This is as our findings further revealed that the lawmakers are not happy with Governor Otu whom they claim has not done the needful in paying their full entitlements amid the biting hardship in the country.

Sources close to the agitated legislators said most annoying to them is the Governor’s foot dragging in approving the purchase of new official vehicles, noting that what has so far been provided for them are only utility vehicles for their oversight functions.

The source quoted them as maintaining that such a development is undignified compared to the treatment given to their fellow Assemblymen and women in other states of the Federation.

“Consequently, the lawmakers resolved to employ the available tool at their disposal to attract the Governor’s attention to their perceived ill-treatment, especially the non-payment of their long-awaited entitlements by passing a bill they know very well will give the Executive sleepless nights and possibly bring the two sides to the negotiation table for an amicable resolution of the issues at stake”, the source said.