Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has issued a strict directive prohibiting his aides, particularly those in the information sector, from speaking to journalists or issuing press statements without authorisation.
The governor also warned them against assuming the role of official spokespersons for either the state government or his office.
The directive was communicated in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, who expressed the government’s displeasure over the unauthorised release of press statements and interviews on critical policies.
The commissioner noted that some political appointees and individuals had been making public pronouncements on government matters without proper clearance, thereby creating confusion and misinformation.
According to the statement, certain appointees had taken it upon themselves to act as official spokespersons for the state government and the governor, despite not being authorised to do so.
To curb this trend, the government has reiterated that only the Commissioner for Information and the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity are legally permitted to issue official statements on behalf of the state government and Governor Otu.
The circular further mandated that all future press releases, official statements, or government communications must first be reviewed and approved by either the commissioner or the chief press secretary before being made public. This measure is aimed at ensuring consistency, accuracy, and proper coordination in government communications.
The statement serves as a final warning to all political appointees, emphasising that any violation of the directive will not be tolerated. The move underscores Governor Otu’s commitment to maintaining a unified and disciplined communication strategy in Cross River State.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
