By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Hon. Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Ironbar, has dismissed claims linking him to the recent wave of appointments made by the state government, insisting that such decisions are the exclusive responsibility of Governor Bassey Otu.
Ironbar made the clarification in a statement issued through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Patrick Asuquo, following social media reports and public comments attributing the appointments to his influence.
He described the narratives as misleading and inconsistent with the constitutional structure of governance, stressing that the power to appoint individuals into government positions rests solely with the Executive Governor of Cross River State.
According to him, all beneficiaries of the appointments should direct their appreciation to Governor Otu, whose leadership and confidence made the appointments possible.
The Chief of Staff noted that although he is privileged to serve in his current role and support the administration’s objectives, he neither possesses nor exercises the constitutional powers of appointment vested in the governor.
“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.
Ironbar further maintained that he played no personal role that would warrant the public commendations being directed at him by some of the appointees and their supporters.
He urged political appointees, stakeholders and members of the public to accurately acknowledge the source of such opportunities and avoid narratives capable of creating false impressions about the government’s appointment process.
Reaffirming his loyalty to Governor Otu and the administration, Ironbar pledged to continue discharging his responsibilities with professionalism, humility and unwavering commitment to the government’s development agenda.
