C’River: Appointment of govt. officials solely governor’s decision, not mine -Ironbar insists

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

The Chief of Staff to the governor of Cross River State, Emmanuel Ironbar, has distanced himself from social media narratives crediting him for the recent appointments made by the state government.

In a statement made available through the Office of the Special Assistant on Media to the Chief of Staff, Mr. Patrick Asuquo, Ironbar described such attributions as inaccurate and contrary to the constitutional structure of government.

He stressed that the authority to make appointments into government positions rests solely with the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, and urged appointees to direct their appreciation to the Executive Governor only whose confidence and leadership made their appointments possible.

The Chief of Staff noted that while he is honored to serve in his current capacity 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 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 emphasized that he played no personal role warranting the public accolades being directed at him by some of the beneficiaries of the appointments, maintaining that all recognition and gratitude should be accorded to his principal, Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

He therefore urged political appointees, supporters, and members of the public to accurately acknowledge the source of such opportunities and avoid narratives capable of creating false impressions about the process of government appointments.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the Governor and commitment to the administration’s goals, pledging to continue discharging his duties with professionalism, humility, and unwavering dedication.