By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River State chapter, has challenged Governor Bassey Otu to ensure that political appointments in the state reflect the broad mandate that brought him to office rather than the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) alone.
In an open letter to the governor, the council acknowledged that the constitutional power to make appointments rests solely with him, but insisted that such powers must be exercised in recognition of the diverse electorate that voted him into office.
IPAC argued that Governor Otu’s electoral victory was not secured exclusively by APC members, noting that thousands of Cross Riverians from different political parties, religious backgrounds, ethnic groups and social classes also cast their votes in support of his candidacy.
According to the council, reducing appointments to rewards for party loyalty would undermine the democratic principles upon which the administration was elected and send a wrong signal to citizens who supported the governor despite not belonging to the APC.
“Cross River State does not belong to the APC. It belongs to all Cross Riverians,” the council declared, stressing that governance should be inclusive and representative of the state’s diverse population.
The body maintained that competence, integrity, proven capacity and commitment to public service should be the primary considerations in appointments, rather than partisan affiliations.
IPAC warned that an appointment process driven solely by political patronage could create the impression that the sacrifices and votes of non-APC supporters no longer matter in the affairs of government.
The council further argued that inclusive governance is a mark of strong leadership, capable of fostering unity, political stability and public confidence in government.
It urged Governor Otu to ensure that future appointments reflect fairness, merit and broad-based representation, insisting that while political parties may contest elections, governance ultimately belongs to the people.
“History will not judge this administration by how well it rewarded party faithful, but by how fairly it served all Cross Riverians,” the council stated.
