The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Hon. Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Ironbar, has clarified that recent appointments into various government positions were made solely at the discretion of Governor Bassey Otu, distancing himself from claims linking him to the decisions.
Speaking through a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Patrick Asuquo, the Chief of Staff described social media reports and public narratives attributing the appointments to his influence as misleading and inconsistent with the constitutional framework of government.
Hon. Ironbar stressed that the power to appoint individuals into government offices is vested exclusively in the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, and urged beneficiaries of the appointments to direct their appreciation to the Governor whose confidence and leadership made the opportunities possible.
According to him, while he remains committed to supporting the administration and assisting in the implementation of government policies, he neither holds nor exercises the constitutional authority to make appointments.
“It is important that the public understands that appointments into government offices are the exclusive prerogative of His Excellency, the Governor. Any attempt to attribute such decisions to me is a misrepresentation of the facts and an unnecessary distortion of the established hierarchy of governance,” he stated.
The Chief of Staff further noted that he played no personal role that would justify the accolades and commendations being directed at him by some beneficiaries of the appointments. He maintained that all recognition and gratitude should be reserved for Governor Otu, whose leadership continues to drive the administration’s vision for the state.
He called on political appointees, supporters, and members of the public to accurately acknowledge the source of such appointments and refrain from promoting narratives capable of creating false impressions about government processes.
Reaffirming his loyalty to Governor Otu and the administration’s agenda, Hon. Ironbar pledged to continue serving diligently and professionally in support of the government’s commitment to good governance and sustainable development in Cross River State.
The statement was signed by Mr. Patrick Asuquo, Special Assistant on Media to the Chief of Staff, Government House, Calabar.
