Otu Charges Appointees On Regular Town Hall Meetings

Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, has charged political appointees of his administration to hold regular town hall meetings and remain close to the people they serve.

The governor gave the charge while declaring open the Political Advocacy Summit 2026 with the theme, “The Role of the People in the People’s Government: Institutionalising the Feedback Mechanism,” held in Calabar.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, Otu said his administration has made public feedback a core governance tool rather than a theoretical concept.

“I am indeed pleased to be part of this important event, where public feedback is treated, not just as a theory, but as a practical part of governance,” he said, adding that “it becomes easier to connect government with the real need of the people.”

He stated that the People-First mantra of his government was a deliberate policy choice, stressing that shutting out citizens’ voices breed distrust.

“A lack of feedback mechanism creates suspicion, antagonism, distrust, and general discontent among the citizenry,” he warned.

He said that  listening to complaints has enough produced results for the state, citing the “constitution of the panel of enquiry that investigated employment racketeering at the local government service commission, streamlining activities of road traffic control agency, reduction of fine paid by erring motorists,” and the provision of free bus rides during festive seasons.

He therefore urged all appointees to embrace the feedback culture, saying “We cannot afford to distance ourselves from the yearning and aspiration of our people. We are pleased to serve because together we can serve Cross River State better.”

Also, the organiser of the summit, who is the special adviser to Governor Otu on Content Development and Archiving, Beatrice Akpala, said that the summit was born out of the conviction that citizens must be active partners and not mere onlookers in the governance process.