Quick Summary:
UCTHResolution2026 as Cross River Business Forum chairman Henry Onwe criticizes the House of Representatives’ call to suspend UCTH CMD Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, describing it as hasty and unjust, and urges a proper investigation.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Businessmen’s Forum, Chief Henry Onwe, has faulted the House of Representatives’ resolution calling for the suspension of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, describing the move as hasty, harsh, and unrealistic.
In a statement issued in Calabar, Onwe urged lawmakers to launch a thorough investigation into the allegations against the CMD before considering any motion seeking his suspension.
He argued that the motion was adopted without due investigation into claims that Prof. Ikpeme acted on ethnic considerations in the posting of medical graduates for housemanship.
House Accused of Acting on Media Reports
Onwe criticized the House for allegedly relying on media reports rather than conducting a comprehensive probe before adopting the motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Iduma Igariwey, who represents Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
He maintained that available information does not indicate that the affected house officers had direct interaction with Prof. Ikpeme regarding their placement, adding that claims of a meeting with the CMD are contested and unsupported by evidence.
Questions Raised on Posting Process
The business leader questioned why the House failed to interrogate the posting process, including who authorized the placements, the criteria used, and why a disproportionate number of doctors were reportedly posted to one federal institution from a single section of the country, contrary to the federal character principle under Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
He also dismissed claims that the CMD’s alleged actions contributed to brain drain, arguing that many doctors migrate abroad after completing housemanship, making it unfair to single out Prof. Ikpeme for shortages in the health sector.
Call for Due Process and Fair Hearing
Onwe noted that the House reportedly failed to consult relevant professional bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Calabar, before adopting the resolution.
He revealed that the doctors in question had already resumed training at UCTH before the call for suspension was made.
Describing allegations of ethnic discrimination as unfounded, Onwe cited UCTH’s record of inclusive appointments, including the appointment of an Igbo woman as Head of Nursing Services in November 2025 under Prof. Ikpeme’s leadership.
Appeal for Intervention and Investigation
Onwe called on lawmakers from Cross River State to intervene and prevent what he described as an injustice, urging the House of Representatives to revisit the motion, conduct a comprehensive investigation, and allow due process to prevail.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to suspend any action against the CMD pending the outcome of a proper inquiry.