Gov. Bassey Edet Otu
By Austine Ibok
Your Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu,
As a committed opposition member who has no intention of joining the APC, I must sincerely commend your ongoing efforts to sanitize corrupt practices within your administration. Your willingness to confront internal irregularities is highly appreciated, and it shows leadership with integrity. However, it is important to note that the deeper issues still remain within the system and require more decisive reforms.
I also thank you for appointing Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo as Chairman of the Cross River State Social Investment Program (SIP). His appointment inspired this message. If my understanding of your intentions is correct, though I may be right or wrong, you likely conducted some form of grassroots opinion sampling and discovered that your social programs have not reached the actual people they were designed for. Instead, these benefits have often been hijacked by government officials for personal gain.
1. Rethinking Monthly Stipends for Political Sustainability
Your Excellency, speculation has it that the SIP may accommodate 100 or more individuals from each ward, receiving monthly stipends throughout the duration of your administration. While this initiative comes from a place of goodwill, I wish to humbly advise that such a model is not sustainable in the long term.
If you are not re-elected in 2027 or after completing eight years, what becomes of these beneficiaries? Programs without institutional backing risk ending abruptly. I know your intentions are sincere and not aimed at disguised vote-buying, *I smiled*, but the optics can be misinterpreted.
A more lasting alternative is to absorb these beneficiaries into the state or local government civil service structure, even at a modest monthly salary of about ₦50,000. This way, their livelihood becomes secure, and the succeeding administration will be compelled to sustain it. This approach would leave a stronger legacy than distributing stipends without structured engagement.
2. Transparent and Independent Beneficiary Selection
Your Excellency, if the goal is to genuinely reach the real grassroots, the beneficiary selection process must be shielded from political interference. Do not allow politicians, appointees, or elected officials to drive this selection. Doing so will defeat the purpose.
Instead:
• Establish an independent body or hire a neutral consultant with clear terms of reference.
• Allow them to interface with traditional rulers, community chiefs, and recognized youth leaders, not political youth wings.
• Ensure the list is transparently generated and well-documented.
• Subject the final list to an additional layer of independent verification before implementation.
If these steps are followed, you will set a new standard for governance and become a truly celebrated figure in Cross River State. As members of the opposition, our role is not merely to criticize, but to contribute constructively so that democracy can thrive.
3. Clarifying My Personal Position
Finally, I must address a misconception circulating among some of your supporters and appointees. They claim I stopped criticizing the Governor because I was given money. This is false.
I reconciled with you and Her Excellency out of mutual respect, with an apology, without receiving any financial or material benefit. When asked what I wanted, I made it clear that I sought nothing, neither money nor appointment. I merely wanted my grievances to be heard.
I promised not to criticize you publicly again, but this does not stop me from constructively calling out underperforming and corrupt officials within your administration. If one day you choose to offer me something, I will accept, not as a bribe, but as a supporter of your broader political project and family. Until then, my loyalty remains to the truth, and if I have a platform tomorrow, it will reflect constructive opposition.
Ibok is a PDP Stakeholder and Coalition hopeful.
