The Cross River State government has formally declined a request from the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) to remove Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the Commissioner for Health. Governor Bassey Otu’s administration emphasized its ongoing dedication to revitalizing the state’s healthcare framework.
The CNPP recently issued a vote of no confidence against Dr. Ayuk, citing concerns regarding administrative leadership, medical supply shortages, facility decay, and insufficient staffing. The coalition of opposition parties urged the governor to replace the commissioner to facilitate a sector-wide turnaround.
In response, Ministry of Health Information Officer Kingsley Agim dismissed these claims as politically biased and inaccurate. He noted that the administration has made significant advancements in the sector since taking power in 2023.
Regarding the Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital in Calabar, the government clarified that the facility is currently undergoing a phased recovery process following extensive damage during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. Officials accused the CNPP of ignoring successful upgrades, such as the newly restored Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, while highlighting areas still under active construction.
The government underscored that modernizing long-neglected infrastructure requires strategic planning and careful resource allocation rather than reactive criticism. They invited the CNPP to perform an objective assessment of the state’s health facilities as they existed in 2023 compared to current improvements before leveling further accusations.
