Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has ordered the immediate suspension of the recent recruitment exercise by the Local Government Service Commission in the state.

The suspension follows findings of allegations of corruption, gross abuse of office, and widespread employment racketeering uncovered in the commission’s recruitment process.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Linus Obogo, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor on Thursday.

Otu also accepted the resignation of the commission’s chairman, Mr Darlington Eyo, over his alleged involvement in the irregularities.

The governor directed that a new, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process be undertaken to ensure fairness and restore credibility to the local government system.

According to him, “I have set up a special review committee to investigate the recruitment scandal and identify all individuals responsible for the malpractice.

“The committee is expected to recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions in line with the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption,” the governor said.

Otu reaffirmed that no act of impunity or abuse of office would be tolerated under his leadership.

He stressed that transparency, accountability, and integrity remained the guiding principles of his “People-First” governance philosophy.

He assured citizens that future recruitment exercises would be based strictly on merit and competence. (NAN)