By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Forum of Political Party Chairmen and Stakeholders in Cross River State has called on Governor Bassey Otu to dissolve and/or reshuffle his cabinet and recruit new and capable hands to bring fresh ideas to bear.
The call came in shortly after Cross River State was ranked as the 7th poorest state in Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by Dr Ekpenyong Ambo, Convener, and Comrade Fred Omari, Co-Convener, on behalf of the Forum, on Saturday, 10th January, the group also decried the general pace of development in the state.
“We frown at the recent designation of the state as the 11th poorest state in the country, with 75.4% of the citizens classified as Multidimensionally Poor. Against this background, we call on the governor to dissolve and/or reshuffle his cabinet and recruit new and capable hands to bring fresh ideas for the urgent delivery of democratic dividends,” part of the statement read.
The Forum refused to acknowledge or recognise the newly sworn-in chairman of Bekwarra LGA and called on the governor and the state House of Assembly to resolve the constitutional lacuna or risk court action.
They equally demanded an unreserved apology from CROSIEC for inviting political parties to a meeting scheduled to conduct a bye-election in Bekwarra and unceremoniously cancelling the meeting without any meaningful explanation.
The Forum also commended Governor Otu for his strides towards returning Calabar, the state capital, to its former glory as the People’s Paradise. They also lauded the governor for organising the 20th anniversary of Calabar Carnival, describing it as a massive effort towards rebranding the state as a major tourism destination in Africa.
The Forum decried the subtle attempt by the ruling party to turn the country into a one-party state and warned that such actions would be met with stiff resistance.
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As activities geared towards the 2026/27 general election commence, the group calls on Cross Riverians to take the next election seriously by reviewing the current socioeconomic development of the state and nation.
On the state of LGAs in Cross River State, the Forum urged the council chairmen to deploy the humongous revenue accruing to the various LGAs with prudence and stop giving flimsy excuses to the people at the grassroots.
The group frowned seriously at the obnoxious press statement from the chairman of Ogoja LGA, where he purportedly banned public gatherings in Ogoja. They warned the chairman, Hon. Chris Agbeh, to desist from actions capable of causing the breakdown of law and order in the LGA and the state in general.
Converseer reports that the Forum of Political Party Chairmen and Stakeholders is an umbrella body of past and present party Chairmen in Cross River State.
The Forum met on January 9, 2026, to review recent political developments in the state.
