Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has ordered the outright cancellation of thousands of jobs that were recently filled into the local government service commission. This sweeping decision, announced on Wednesday evening, targets recruitments carried out by the now-sacked Local Government Service Commission, which operated between 2024 and 2025.

The directive came via a statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Eno, who detailed the findings of a panel of inquiry. The report painted a grim picture of the previous hiring spree, describing it as fundamentally flawed, lacking legitimacy, and rife with executive approvals that were never secured. The statement pointed to widespread job racketeering, where employment slots were allegedly commercialised, and accused the commission of institutional complicity, ineptitude, and a serious breach of public service ethics.

Because the entire exercise was neither transparent nor accountable, and failed to follow existing laws and financial regulations, the government declared it invalidated and cancelled. Only 83 personnel initially appointed for the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) and later moved to the local government service commission will remain on the government payroll. All others recruited by the defunct commission are set to be removed.

And then, there's the promise of fresh opportunities. Governor Otu has graciously approved a new recruitment drive to bring in 4,000 new personnel. This upcoming process is slated to be transparent, utilising digital platforms and modern procedures to identify staffing needs and ensure hires are based on established requirements.

Those who were affected by the nullification and believe they have the necessary qualifications have been advised to reapply through the new system. For individuals being eased off the payroll as a direct result of this cancellation, the government stated they would be paid compensatory benefits.

But it doesn't stop there. The Attorney General of the State, along with relevant law enforcement agencies, has been directed to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding this entire recruitment saga. Anyone found culpable will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

Governor Bassey Otu, who assumed office in May 2023, has been making moves to assert his administration's authority and reform state institutions. His government has previously indicated a focus on accountability and efficient service delivery across the state's numerous local government areas, which are the bedrock of public service delivery to the grassroots.

The Local Government Service Commission, responsible for the administrative and professional management of the local government service, is crucial for effective governance. Its alleged mismanagement and the ensuing scandal raise questions about oversight mechanisms previously in place and the integrity of public sector employment processes in Cross River State.