C/River electoral commission chair resigns after gov’s remarks

The chairman of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Mike Ushie, has resigned his appointment over scathing remarks from the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, on the effectiveness of the commission. 

In a letter signed by Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, Secretary to the State Government, submitted to the state House of Assembly on Thursday l, Governor Otu said the ineffectiveness of the leadership and members of the CROSIEC led by Ushie were the reasons the government could not conduct council elections since last year. 

The letter sought approval of the state assembly to reorganise the commission for effectiveness.

The speaker of the assembly, Elvert Ayambem, subsequently referred the matter to the House Committee on Judiciary Public Service Matters, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution for in-depth study and recommendation.

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But a few hours after the governor’s letter was publicised, Ushie tendered his resignation in a letter addressed to the governor.

He, however, said his decision to resign “is to enable me to return to the university for further research work, having served for over six years in that capacity.”