A political pressure group, the Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF), has criticized the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the three senators representing the state in the National Assembly for watching idly while Cross River is marginalized and shortchanged in the distribution of federal appointments.
The Forum in a statement on Friday 28 February 2025, described the marginalization as a grave injustice visited on the people of Cross River. It demanded that the state should be given her rightful share in appointments.
The statement which was signed by Hon. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, Esq – Chairman, Sir Maurice Effiwatt, Prof Emmanuel Eyo, Esq., Apostle (Hon) James Anam, Ntufam (Hon) Victor Okon, Hon. (Mrs) Ada Charles Egwu, Hon. (Chief) Ani Esin, Hon Joseph Etene, Esq., Hon (Mrs) Abigail Duke Orok, Barr. Bassey Mensah, Dr. Esu Effiong Esu, Prince Edwin Okon, Ntufam (Hon) Okon Owuna and Hon Charles Atu, reads:
“The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) rises today with a heavy heart and a resolute voice to address the glaring injustice and marginalization that has befallen our beloved Cross River state in recent federal appointments. Like a tree whose roots are starved of water, our state has been left to wither while others flourish under the shadow of favoritism and political bias.
“We stand here not to beg for crumbs from the table of power but to demand our rightful share, for Cross River state is not a beggar but a proud contributor to the Nigerian project.
“The recent appointments to the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) have laid bare the stark reality of our marginalization. While Akwa Ibom state enjoys the lion’s share of these appointments, Cross River State is left with mere scraps.
“In the NASC, Dr. Savior Enyiekere from Akwa Ibom was named Chairman, and Hon. Mary Ekpenyong, also from Akwa Ibom, was appointed as one of the two commissioners representing the South-South zone. This is not just an oversight; it is a deliberate act of exclusion that reeks of bias.
“How can one State produce both the Chairman and a Commissioner in a zone that is meant to be shared equitably amongst 6 supposed State-beneficiaries ? This is not just an insult to Cross River but a slap on the face of fairness and justice.
“The composition of the CRBDA board is even more disheartening. Out of 10 members, only two—Chairman and Executive Director of Finance—are from Cross River. Key positions such as Managing Director, Executive Director of Agricultural Services, Executive Director of Engineering, and Executive Director of Planning and Design were all handed to Akwa Ibom indigenes.
“Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho, Ms. Ebiere Etuk Udoh, Engr. Charles Usua Akpan, and Dr. Ndom Abia—all from Akwa Ibom—have taken seats that should have been shared equitably. This is not just an imbalance; it is a calculated act of sidelining Cross River State.
“We are equally dismayed by the deafening silence and inaction of our APC Senators, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr (Cross River South) and Senator Eteng Jones Williams (Cross River Central), who have failed to leverage on their goodwill with the Senate President, to address this dangerous trend of injustice against our Cross River State.
“As custodians of our Senatorial mandates, we expect them to use their good offices to secure equitable federal appointments for Cross River state at all times, and not to watch helplessly as our State is being shortchanged by their principal. A leader who cannot fight and defend the rights of his people is like a tree that provides no shade.
“The position of Senate President was conceded to the Akwa-Cross region of the South-South geopolitical zone, and therefore, Cross River should also benefit from it. We are not asking for favors; we are demanding what is rightfully ours.
“The Senate President must remember that a river that forgets its source will eventually run dry. Cross River state is not a footnote in the story of the South-South; we are a chapter that deserves to be written in bold letters. We demand equitable representation in all federal appointments, and we will not rest until justice is served.
“The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) calls on the Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, to rectify this imbalance and ensure that Cross River state is given its fair share of federal appointments. We also urge our senators to rise above political complacency and fight for the interests of the people they represent.
“The time for silence is over. The time for action is now. Cross River will no longer be the forgotten child of the South-South. We stand united in our demand for equity, justice, and fairness. Let it be known that we will not be silenced, and we will not be sidelined.”
