Cynthia Ezegwu
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has dissolved the Board of the Local Government Service Commission following confirmed reports of employment racketeering and alleged abuse of office during the Commission’s recent recruitment exercise.
The decision was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, in Calabar. The statement said the governor expressed deep concern over the unethical practices uncovered in the recruitment process, describing them as a betrayal of public trust and an affront to the core principles of public service.
Otu, who had earlier suspended the compromised recruitment exercise, said the process will remain on hold pending a fresh, transparent, and merit-driven recruitment that aligns with his administration’s commitment to accountability.
“Following reports of gross abuse of office and widespread employment racketeering in the Local Government Service Commission’s recruitment exercise, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Board,” the statement read.
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“The actions that came to light are unacceptable. This administration maintains zero tolerance for corruption and will not hesitate to take decisive measures to protect the integrity of public institutions,” it added.
The governor assured residents that his government is committed to rebuilding trust in the system and ensuring that public service opportunities are accessed through due process. He further warned that individuals or bodies found violating established protocols would face strict sanctions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and restore public confidence.