Governor Reshuffles Media Team
after Clash with Senator Ekpenyong Over NDDC Project
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has reshuffled his media team following an internal clash between his media aides and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong over the ownership and commissioning of a controversial Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) project. The shake-up comes days after confusion erupted over conflicting statements from the state government’s media unit regarding who initiated and completed a major NDDC-funded infrastructure project.
The controversy sparked public debate and strained relations between the governor’s camp and Senator Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South in the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, Governor Otu approved the appointment of Mr. Linus Obogo as the new Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Obogo, a seasoned journalist, is expected to lead efforts to rebuild and professionalize the state’s communication apparatus. “His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, has approved the appointment of Mr. Linus Obogo as Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor,” the statement read.
“This move reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening its information machinery for effective and responsive communication.”
Obogo’s appointment marks a significant change in the media unit’s leadership, signaling the governor’s intention to restore coherence and discipline in government messaging.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nsa Gill, who previously served as Chief Press Secretary, has been reassigned as Special Adviser on Public Affairs. According to the official release, Gill will now focus on deepening public engagement and enhancing transparency in policy communication.
“Mr. Gill is expected to deepen the interface between government and the public, ensuring clarity, engagement, and transparency,” the statement added. Gill, a veteran journalist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River State, also served with The Nation newspaper before joining the Otu administration.
The recent clash between the governor’s media aides and Senator Ekpenyong over the NDDC project brought to light internal coordination issues within the government’s communication channels.