Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River state has brought into his government 38 special advisers, 14 heads of Boards/Agencies and 31 special assistants and personal assistants in what is believed to be a blend of loyalists, old hands and professionals.
The governor, who came into power under the ‘People First’ mantra had, during APC stakeholders weekend promised a batch-by-batch release of people-oriented list of political appointees.
His statement at the meeting had generated high expectations from Cross River people who waited with bated breath for the list which was finally released late Tuesday.
The appointment saw some of those who served in former Governor Ben Ayade’s administration staging a surprise comeback while former members of the state House of Assembly were also brought on board.
A press statement, which listed the appointees and their portfolios, signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, indicated that out of the 83 appointees, 17 are women while 66 are men.
Some of those who served under former Governor Ayade and were back included Mr. Linus Obogo, Dr Jake Otu Enyia, Dr Inyang Asibong, Mr Ken Aklah, Mr Sunday Micheal and Peter Egba.
The new faces are Okechukwu Madiekwe, Bar. Utum Eteng, Prof. Peter Oti, Dan Obi, Otuekong Francis Edet, Capt Otu Ita Otu, Apostle Frank Umoh, Mr. Ugba Murphy, amongst others.
Former House of Assembly members – Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, Cynthia Nkasi, Prince Okon Ephraim and Rt Hon Nelson Efem, were not left out.
The female folks who made the list included Mrs Majorie Asuquo, Mrs Nkoyo Umoh, Mrs Uduak Efem, Sarah Ogenye, Mrs Arch Agbor, Nkoyo Omon, Ceillion Edet, Grace Egwu, Vivian Mesembe, among nine other women.
“The governor wishes the new appointee well and charged them to be diligent and bring their wealth of experience to bear in service to the state,” the press statement stated.
