By Mary Bassey, House Of Assembly Correspondent
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the immediate withdrawal of Mr. Patrick Edi’s appointment as the Clerk of the House of Assembly.
The government notified the House of this decision in a letter dated March 18, 2024, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, which Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem read on the floor of the House on March 19, 2024.
According to the letter, it states, “based on the fact that the critical criterion for seniority was not highlighted or even made reference to in the recommendations made to His Excellency. Especially, while Mr. Patrick Edi was employed before Mrs. Catherine Ubi, her becoming a Director before the other gives her the advantage of seniority.”
As a result, Barr. Catherine Ubi was appointed the substantive clerk of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
In a related development, the Governor has suspended the Cross River State House of Assembly Commission. The reason for the suspension is a result of the misleading disposition of the Leadership of the Commission on the issue of seniority and otherwise for the appointment of the Clerk.