In the complexity of Nigeria’s geopolitical structure, federal appointments have long been a reflection of the country’s power dynamics, serving as an avenue for both reward and representation. However, under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Cross River State finds itself at the receiving end of what appears to be a systematic sidelining in the distribution of key political and administrative positions. The state’s exclusion from strategic federal appointments is becoming increasingly glaring, raising pertinent questions about the fairness of the process and the factors driving this imbalance.
Historically, Cross River State has been a significant player in the national political equation, often receiving a fair share of federal representation like other states, particularly in agencies and commissions that have traditionally maintained a balance between it and its sister states in South-south geopolitical zone. For instance, the Cross River Basin Development Authority has always maintained an equitable distribution of board positions, with three members apiece from Cross River and Akwa Ibom states respectively. However, under the current administration, this balance has been upended, with four of the available six positions allocated to Akwa Ibom, leaving Cross River with only two. This lopsided allocation signals a shift in the established norms of equitable representation, sparking concerns of deliberate marginalization.
The pattern extends beyond board appointments. At the Federal Executive Council, the state has suffered significant downgrades in ministerial appointments. Following the last cabinet reshuffling by Mr. President, Cross River was effectively demoted from having a substantive minister to a minister of state, a position often regarded as junior and largely symbolic in the status of governance. This downgrade not only weakens the state’s voice in the Federal Executive Council but also diminishes its ability to influence policy decisions that affect its people. Until the last Edo State governorship election, Cross River State was the only APC state in the South-south. Such a state should naturally occupy some strategic positions at the federal level with unlimited access to power and decision-making.