Francis Bassey, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and public affairs analyst, has issued a direct appeal to the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, urging him to caution his Chief of Staff, Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar. Bassey stressed that the people of the state did not elect the Chief of Staff as governor.
The warning was delivered in a statement on Tuesday, the 9th of December, 2025, where Bassey disclosed that he has received a “Save Our Souls” message from numerous political appointees within the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration.
Bassey highlighted a growing sense of discontent brewing within the Cross River State Government, with senior political appointees expressing alarm over what they characterize as the Chief of Staff’s “hostile and overpowering grip on the running of state affairs.”
According to the chieftain, Dr. Ironbar has amassed a level of influence that is unprecedented, allegedly leading to the sidelining of Commissioners and redirecting control over crucial government functions to himself.
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Bassey emphasized the gravity of the situation: “The Chief of Staff to the Governor has accumulated unprecedented influence, sidelining Commissioners and diverting control of critical government functions into his own hands. “He is not the governor. There are complaints that appointees cannot access funds, execute projects, or even take basic decisions without his personal approval. They are tired, and they need Governor Otu to take back control.”
He further articulated the concern that the Chief of Staff’s involvement has far exceeded the customary scope of the role: “The Chief of Staff is traditionally tasked with coordinating the governor’s schedule and staff; the situation in Cross River State is said to have gone far beyond acceptable limits. The report that the Chief of Staff now determines which ministries receive funding, which programs move forward, who gains or loses political relevance, and access to security and administrative approvals is unacceptable.”