Former Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has denied endorsing any lawmaker to become Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
This denial follows the alleged removal of Elvert Ayambem on May 22, 2024, by 17 out of 25 lawmakers of the Assembly over purported financial impropriety.
His denial comes amid suspicions that he might be working to install Mr Kingsley Ntui, the member representing the Etung state constituency, as the new Speaker.
Ntui is from Cross River Central, like Ndoma-Egba, while the embattled Ayambem hails from the same Ikom LGA as Ndoma-Egba.
Ndoma-Egba, through his media aide, Sunny Udeh, told journalists, “The former Majority Leader hasn’t endorsed anyone for the position of Speaker of the State Assembly.”
He debunked the suspicions circulating on social media and advised mischief-makers to desist from misleading the public.
“Senator Ndoma-Egba is not a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly and, as such, cannot determine who should be the Speaker.
“Like every other well-meaning leader in the state, he decries the recent developments in the House of Assembly and expresses hope and expectation that the matter will be amicably resolved in a timely manner for the good of the state.”
He stressed that Cross River cannot afford any political crisis now that the state is beginning to enjoy the fruits of the new government led by Senator Bassey Otu.