The appointment of Senator Florence Ita Giwa as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep was initially welcomed by many Cross Riverians as a positive development. Given her long standing political experience and national influence, many believed her presence would attract growth and opportunities to the institution while promoting the interest of Cross River State. However, recent developments surrounding the appointment of a substantive Rector for the institution have raised concerns among stakeholders and created the impression that the high expectations placed on the council, with the benefit of hindsight, may have been utterly misplaced
Questions have also been raised by some observers about what tangible benefits the Governing Council under her leadership has attracted to the institution since assuming office. Allegations have circulated within the public space suggesting that internal issues within the council may have overshadowed the focus on institutional growth. While some of these claims remain unverified, they have contributed to the growing public sentiment that the council must provide greater transparency regarding its activities and decisions.
The controversy surrounding the appointment of a substantive Rector for the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep has therefore continued to attract attention across Cross River State. What should ordinarily have been a straightforward administrative process has instead opened a wider conversation about accountability, representation, fairness and the responsibility of those entrusted with leadership positions to protect the interest of the state.
At the centre of this controversy which has led to wide protests from youths and indigenes of the host community and the state in general, is Senator Florence Ita Giwa, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep. As one of the most prominent political figures from Cross River State and the person presiding over the council responsible for the selection process, many citizens believe that she not only owe the people of the state a clear explanation on how the process unfolded, and why none of the Cross Riverians who reportedly applied and were screened for the position eventually emerged as Rector, but how the process was circumvented to throw-up a non-indigene from Kogi state as front runner for the Rector ship, when Kogi state already have their Polytechnic represented by someone within their state.
Distinguish Cross Riverians, it may also interest you to know that our neighbouring state, Akwa Ibom, have Dr. Uduak Ukekpe as Rector of their Polytechnic - thereby proving that this nature of nonchalance, inequality and injustice could only be made practicable in Cross River State. The question now ruminating and echoeing in the minds of Cross Riverians is, where are our State Representatives - starting from the Senate, House of Reps, State Assembly and even the current Minister of state for Industry?
From the accounts circulating among stakeholders, several qualified candidates from Cross River State participated in the selection exercise. Among them was Dr Okimba Peter Etaba from Obubra Local Government Area, an academic whose qualifications and experience were widely regarded as meeting the requirements for the office of Rector. Those who followed the process closely insist that he was not only academically qualified but also performed strongly during the screening and interview stages. Therefore, many Cross Riverians seem to be clamouring for his emergence as an indigene.
This belief has led to widespread sentiment that Dr Etaba stood out among the candidates and that his emergence would have been both meritorious and strategic for Cross River State. Supporters argue that beyond his credentials, appointing a competent indigene from the Central Senatorial District could have helped strengthen the relationship between the institution and its host communities, especially considering that the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep is still a relatively young institution seeking to establish a stable foundation.
For many citizens, the rectorship of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep presented a rare opportunity to correct the absence of Cross River representation in the leadership of federal polytechnics across the country. The possibility that none of the Cross River candidates emerged from the process has therefore generated frustration among those who believe the state’s interest should have been strongly defended during the selection exercise.
In light of these developments, many stakeholders believe the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, should take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the process. As the leader of the state and a strong advocate of fairness and institutional integrity, it is expected that the governor will ensure that the issues raised by the public are carefully examined. An investigation into why no Cross Riverian was eventually appointed Rector, despite the presence of qualified candidates, would help restore public confidence in the process.
If any wrongdoing, undue interference or compromise is discovered in the course of such an investigation, many believe that appropriate sanctions should be applied to those responsible. Taking decisive action in such circumstances would reinforce the principles of accountability and demonstrate that the interest of Cross River State cannot be disregarded without consequences.
Ultimately, the people of Cross River State are not merely seeking controversy but clarity. They want to understand how decisions affecting an important federal institution located within their state were taken and whether the opportunity to secure representation for the state within the national polytechnic leadership structure was adequately pursued. In the end, the questions before Senator Ita Giwa remain questions of accountability, fairness and the duty of leadership to protect the legitimate aspirations of the people.
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