Calabar– The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) has raised the alarm over what it describes as the “glaring injustice and marginalization” of Cross River state in recent federal appointments. In a strongly worded press statement issued on Friday, the group condemned the lopsided distribution of key positions in federal agencies, particularly the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA), which have favored Akwa Ibom state at the expense of Cross River NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The CRSCF, a prominent socio-political group representing the interests of Cross River South Senatorial District, expressed deep disappointment over the composition of the NASC and CRBDA boards. According to the statement, Akwa Ibom has been disproportionately favored, with its indigenes occupying the majority of key positions, while Cross River has been left with minimal representation.
The statement highlighted that in the NASC, Dr. Savior Enyiekere from Akwa Ibom was appointed Chairman, while Hon. Mary Ekpenyong, also from Akwa Ibom, was named one of the two commissioners representing the South-South zone. This, the CRSCF argued, is a clear violation of the principle of equitable representation, as the South-South zone comprises six states.
Similarly, in the CRBDA, out of 10 board members, only two—Chairman and Executive Director of Finance—are from Cross River state. Key positions such as Managing Director, Executive Director of Agricultural Services, Executive Director of Engineering, and Executive Director of Planning and Design were all allocated to Akwa Ibom indigenes, including Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho, Ms. Ebiere Etuk Udoh, Engr. Charles Usua Akpan, and Dr. Ndom Abia.
The CRSCF also took aim at Cross River’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr (Cross River South) and Senator Eteng Jones Williams (Cross River Central), accusing them of failing to leverage their relationship with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to address the marginalization of the state.
“A leader who cannot fight and defend the rights of his people is like a tree that provides no shade,” the statement read, urging the senators to rise above political complacency and advocate for equitable representation for Cross River state.
The CRSCF emphasized that Cross River state is not seeking favors but demanding its rightful share of federal appointments. The group reminded the Senate President that the position of Senate President was conceded to the Akwa-Cross region of the South-South geopolitical zone, and therefore, Cross River State should also benefit from it.
“The Senate President must remember that a river that forgets its source will eventually run dry,” the statement warned. “Cross River State is not a footnote in the story of the South-South; we are a chapter that deserves to be written in bold letters.”
The CRSCF called on Senator Godswill Akpabio to rectify the imbalance in federal appointments and ensure that Cross River state is given its fair share. The group also urged Cross River’s senators to take immediate action to secure equitable representation for the state.
“The time for silence is over. The time for action is now,” the statement declared. “Cross River will no longer be the forgotten child of the South-South. We stand united in our demand for equity, justice, and fairness.”
The press statement was signed by notable leaders of the CRSCF, including Hon. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, Esq. (Chairman), Sir Maurice Effiwatt, Prof. Emmanuel Eyo, Esq., Apostle (Hon) James Anam, and others, representing a united front in the fight for Cross River’s interests.
