Baskadia

In 1987 Akwa Ibom State was created out of Cross River State.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came into force on 29 May 1999 when a democratically elected government assumed office both at the federal and state levels.

Under the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) is composed of a Chairman and 19 other members.

The Nigerian Federation is composed of 36 States and Abuja.

The number of States is more than the number of members of the FCSC.

The federal government decided that States have to be paired for ease of representation of the States in the FCSC.

That is why Akwa Ibom and Cross River States were paired.

Late Prince Augustine Odey represented Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in the FCSC for many years. He is from the Yala Local government area Cross River Northern Senatorial District.

Dr. L.Akpama is from Nko Town in Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River Central District.

He represented Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in the FCSC from 2008 to 2013.

Honourable Simon Etim Mni represented Akwa Ibom and Cross River States for 10 years and 10 months.

There are national executive bodies that are equivalent to the status of the FCSC.

There are the National Population Commission; the Federal Character Commission, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission.

The National Population Commission constitutionally requires membership from each of the 36 States.

The current National Population Commissioner representing Cross River State is retired Navy Captain Charles Ogwa.

He is from Yakurr Cross River Central Senatorial District.

His predecessor was Barrister Idi Yakabu from Ogoja Cross River Northern Senatorial District.

Federal Character Commission(FCC) also has representation from each of the 36 States.

The current Commissioner is Hon.

Nsor Atamgba.

He is from Ikom Cross River Central Senatorial District.

Past Federal Commissioner representing Cross River State in the FCC include Chief Wilfred Inah (Yakurr Cross River Central); Chief Lekam Okoi(Yakurr, Cross River Central) Barrister Harry Ezeoke (Abi, Cross River Central).

INEC has a Chairman and 12 other members who make up its National Electoral Commissioners.

Between 2003 to 2011, Cross River State had a National Electoral Commissioner representing the South-South geopolitical zone in the person of Hon. Nsa Ekpenyong from Odukpani Cross River Southern Senatorial District.

INEC also has 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners representing the 36 States of the Federation and Abuja.

From 1999 to date the Resident Electoral Commissioners include :

Hon. Obo Effanga (Cross River Southern Senatorial District).

He is an incumbent Resident Electoral Commissioner.

He was appointed in 2018 and his appointment was renewed in 2023).

Former Resident Electoral Commissioners include:

Hon. Bolaji Anani and Dr. Hon. Gabriel Ada.

The Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) is another national executive body that has a Chairman and 37 commissioners representing each of the 36 States and Abuja.

The current Commissioner representing Cross River State in the RMFC is Hon. Nsa Whiley.

He is from Cross River Southern Senatorial District.

Past Commissioners include Hon. Bolaji Akpan Anani ( Abi Cross River Central), Hon.Emmanuel Nsa (Cross River Southern Senatorial District), and Chief Mrs M.Edom (Cross River Northern Senatorial District).

Conclusion:

Note that this is a compendium of representation in the National Executive Bodies created by Section 153 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) concerning Cross River State.

These national executive bodies are:

FCSC, FCC, INEC & RMFC).

I therefore urge the Governor of Cross River State to draw up a template for the choice of representatives of Cross River State in these national executive bodies to prevent acrimony and inclusiveness.

Note:

In the event, I missed out anybody, feel free to supply information concerning him or her.

Chief Okoi Obono-Obla