Governor cancels leave extension, returns to duty
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has officially resumed his duties, choosing not to take the previously two-week leave extension granted by the State House of Assembly.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nsa Gill, on Friday confirmed that the governor has officially resumed duty after a three-week vacation that took effect on March 11, 2025.
“Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has confirmed the cancellation of the two-week extension granted to him by the state House of Assembly.”
“The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has been duly informed of this decision, and he is back to drive the developmental agenda with renewed energy”, the statement reads.
Gill disclosed that the first assignment of the governor upon resumption is the national assignment entrusted to him as the Chairman of the gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Anambra State.
He added that Otu is committed to moving the state forward, which he said “takes precedence over any personal time away.”
According to him, the governor explained that the choice to forgo the leave extension was prompted by changes in his originally planned commitments, which required him to return to work sooner than anticipated.
“Governor Otu’s return is anticipated to energise governance efforts, with a renewed emphasis on development initiatives and policy implementation throughout the state.”
He stated that the governor is currently in Awka, the Anambra state capital, for the gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Anambra State, holding Saturday, April 5, 2025.
PUNCH Online reports that the Assembly had on Friday approved the leave extension during its plenary on 4 April after receiving a formal request presented by the Clerk.
Oyu, however, explained that the choice to forgo the leave extension was prompted by changes in his originally planned commitments, which required him to return to work sooner than anticipated.
