Dissolve your exco over gross incompetence, account for all monies collected from FG — CNPP tells Otu, ex-govs

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Cross River State chapter, has issued a statement calling on Governor Bassey Otu to immediately dissolve his executive council over what it described as “gross incompetence” and a failure to meet the expectations of the people.

 

CNPP also demanded that former governors of the state provide a detailed account of all federal allocations received during their respective administrations.

 

The statement, jointly signed by the State Chairman, Patrick Ali, and the State Publicity Secretary, Chris Eyibio, was released on Thursday and circulated to journalists in Calabar. The CNPP insisted that the state government—past and present—must be held accountable for the socio-economic decline of Cross River State, a state it argued has suffered decades of mismanagement, loss of revenue, and policy failures.

 

CNPP Says Otu’s Cabinet Has “Failed the People”

 

According to the group, Governor Otu’s executive council has demonstrated an alarming level of inefficiency and lack of direction, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction across local communities. They criticized the administration for what they described as slow governance, policy inconsistencies, and a lack of tangible development projects.

 

“The current executive council has shown gross incompetence in handling the affairs of Cross River State. We call on Governor Bassey Otu to dissolve his exco without delay and constitute a more competent team capable of driving meaningful development,” the statement read.

 

The CNPP claimed that almost two years into the administration, many communities are yet to feel the impact of governance, and critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure have remained stagnant.

 

Calls for Accountability From Former Governors

 

Beyond the present administration, the political coalition also turned its attention to the state’s former governors, demanding a comprehensive breakdown of all funds received from the federation account throughout their tenures.

 

Cross River State has experienced successive financial challenges, particularly after the Supreme Court judgment that ceded oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, which subsequently led to Cross River losing its status as an oil-producing state. The CNPP argues that despite these challenges, billions of naira were still allocated to the state over the years—funds which, according to them, must now be accounted for.

 

“We demand that every former governor of Cross River State, without exception, should provide a full and transparent account of all monies received from the federation account during their administration. The people deserve to know how these funds were spent, especially given the current struggles facing the state,” the group stated.

 

Bakassi Peninsula Judgment Must Be Revisited — CNPP

 

In the statement, the CNPP also urged the Federal Government to revisit the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that handed the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon—a judgment that significantly altered the economic trajectory of Cross River State.

 

According to the group, the loss of Bakassi not only deprived the state of vital oil revenue but also undermined long-term development plans. They maintained that the exclusion of Cross River from Nigeria’s list of oil-producing states has worsened the state’s economic situation, leading to high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and declining public services.

 

“The exclusion of Cross River State from the list of oil-producing states has had devastating consequences on our economy. We call on the Federal Government to revisit the Bakassi issue and explore diplomatic and constitutional options to ensure justice for our people,” the CNPP said.

 

The coalition insisted that the Bakassi matter remains unresolved, particularly regarding resettlement, compensation, and the economic rights of displaced communities.

 

Local Government Chairmen Directed to Publish Achievements

 

In a move aimed at strengthening transparency and grassroots accountability, the CNPP also directed all 18 Local Government chairmen in Cross River State to publicly present the list of projects they have executed since assuming office more than a year ago.

 

The group noted that many local government administrations have become “epicenters of waste and non-performance,” with citizens unable to identify any meaningful projects despite consistent allocations from the federal purse.

 

“Every local government chairman must publish their one-year scorecard, detailing all projects and initiatives carried out. The era of hiding behind excuses is over. People deserve to know how their funds are being used,” the statement added.

 

Political Positioning for 2027

 

As part of its political recommendations ahead of future elections, the CNPP announced that it has adopted Odukpani Local Government Area for the governorship position in the next political cycle. Though the group did not endorse a specific candidate, it insisted that equity and fairness require that Odukpani be given the opportunity to produce the next governor.

 

The CNPP further declared that House of Representatives and Senate seats within the Southern Senatorial District should be “zoned to other local government areas” to ensure equity, rotation, and wider political inclusion.

 

In the Northern Senatorial District, the CNPP directed Ogoja Local Government to choose between retaining the Senate seat or producing the deputy governor in the next election cycle. The organization argued that political positions must be shared more evenly to avoid monopolization by a few LGAs.

 

A State at a Crossroads

 

Cross River State, once known for its tourism, stability, and environmental beauty, has in recent years battled financial constraints, dwindling investments, and growing dissatisfaction among residents. The CNPP’s statement reflects mounting frustration across the state and growing calls for leadership reforms, political restructuring, and improved governance.

 

While the Otu-led administration has previously stated that it is laying long-term foundations for economic revival—particularly in tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure—the CNPP believes the pace of development remains too slow to meet the urgency of the moment.

 

As of the time of filing this report, the Cross River State Government has not publicly responded to the CNPP’s demands.