Performance, Not Politics, Drives Cabinet Reshuffle, Otu Tells Commissioners

CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has said performance, rather than politics, informed the reshuffling of his cabinet, charging commissioners to raise their performance as his administration enters what he described as a season of consolidation and accelerated service delivery.

The Governor’s position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, following an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council in Calabar, where commissioners were redeployed to different ministries while others retained their portfolios.

According to the statement, the reshuffle was a strategic move aimed at reinvigorating governance, strengthening institutional efficiency and repositioning the administration to deliver more effectively on its People First Agenda.

Obogo said the Governor described the exercise as “a deliberate recalibration of government machinery” designed to align individual strengths with the administration’s evolving governance priorities.

“Government is a living institution; it must constantly adjust to new realities. This exercise is about injecting fresh energy, maximizing individual strengths, and ensuring that every member of this cabinet remains focused on the larger vision of transforming Cross River State. We have crossed the threshold of foundation-laying; this is the season of consolidation and accelerated delivery,” Otu said.

Among those redeployed are Ayuk Obi Afor to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Hon. Osogi Moses John to Water Resources; Anom Emmanuel Moses to Human Capital Development; Edet Ankpo Pius, Works and Infrastructure; Abigail Duke Orok, Commerce; Ita Lawrencia Effiong , Establishments, Training and Pension; Odere Michael Iruekpenre to Finance; Ukam Odum-Ijom Ukam to Youth Development; Dr. Egodo Helen Agan to Humanitarian Affairs; and Nku Ekpang Erasmus Ekpang to Lands.

Others include Dr. Ene-Ita Margaret Minika to Social Welfare and Community Development; Mensah Bassey Offiong to Environment; Cobham Ekpenyong Ene to Information and Orientation; Ekpenyong Francis Edet to Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development; Idem Victor-Felix Okon to Local Government Affairs; Otu Effiom Ekaha to Mineral Resources; Dr. Ayuk Henry Egbe, Health; Kingsley N. Egumi, Transport; Abang Eka Williams, Power and Renewable Energy; Dr. Beshel Justin Atiang, Science and Technology; Ebokpo Johnson Andiambey to Agriculture and Irrigation Development; Edema Ayami Irom, Women Affairs; Dr. Angioha Mathias Unimke to Industries; Agnes Anyama Atsu to Sports Development; Ededem Charles Ani, Justice and Attorney-General; Hon. Patrick E. Egbede to Wealth Creation and Empowerment; Capt. Eno Urum Inah (Rtd.) to Aviation; Dodeye Ikpi Arikpo to Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations; Sen. Stephen Adi Odey, Education; Dr. Lukpata H. Ogar to International Donor Coordination; and Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Ifeanyi to Housing.

The Governor stressed that the redeployments should not be interpreted as rewards or punishment but as a leadership tool to improve performance and accelerate development across all sectors.

“Electioneering must never distract us from governance. The people will judge us, not by slogans, but by roads constructed, hospitals revitalized, schools improved, jobs created, and the quality of life we have enhanced. Every commissioner must see his or her ministry as a performance centre. There is absolutely no room for complacency,” he said.

Governor Otu also urged commissioners to approach their new assignments with dedication, insisting that every ministry plays a critical role in improving the lives of Cross River residents.

“There are no superior or inferior ministries. Every portfolio is strategic because every ministry touches the lives of our people. Whether you have been reassigned or retained, your mandate remains unchanged, to serve with integrity, discipline, creativity and absolute loyalty to the people of Cross River State. History will remember results, not titles,” he added.

According to Obogo, the Governor further called for stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, saying effective governance depends on teamwork, accountability and urgency in implementing government policies.

The statement added that members of the State Executive Council welcomed the reshuffle, describing it as a timely step toward strengthening policy implementation and sustaining the administration’s development agenda ahead of the next phase of governance.