Cross River House Speaker rusticated from varsity over poor performance…Gets Support of Legislators

In a remarkable display of support, the Cross River State House of Assembly on Thursday passed a vote of confidence on their elected Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, after he faced expulsion from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) due to poor academic performance.

The Speaker, who had been pursuing a degree in Economics at the Faculty of Social Sciences, was among 637 students withdrawn from the university for below-average Cumulative Grades Aggregates (CGPA).

Ayambem’s expulsion from UNICAL has sparked debates and speculation across the state, with some individuals suggesting that it might be linked to his victory over Hilary Bisong, the Vice Chancellor’s son, in the contest for the position of Speaker.

In response to the situation, Professor Flourence Obi, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, clarified that she was merely adhering to the guidelines set forth by the National Universities Commission (NUC) regarding the academic performance of students. She stated that she was unaware of Ayambem’s current status as a student at the university.

Smarting from the repercussions of the Speaker’s removal from the university and facing public perception regarding his abilities, the state legislature took action during a plenary by passing a vote of confidence on Ayambem. The motion was initiated by the Deputy Speaker, Sylvester Agabi, on behalf of the legislators.

Agabi highlighted the 10th Assembly’s achievements within its short 33-day tenure, which included passing over 10 motions, addressing about five matters of public interest, conducting oversight functions in various sectors, and moving some bills to the second reading. He attributed these successes to the capable leadership of Speaker Ayambem, whom he praised as the “people’s Speaker.”

• Tinubu Stands Firm Against Incapacitation of Democratically Elected Governments in ECOWAS
• UNICAL suspends Dean for violating student
• NNPP Faction Expels Presidential Candidate Kwankwaso
• Wizkid’s Mother Passes Away
• Osun Assembly Speaker Catches Policemen Red-Handed Extorting Money From Youths; Orders Immediate Refund
• Woman bathes son with hot water for bringing girlfriend home
• Cross River Governor to Spend N5 Billion on Office Refurbishment

The motion received further endorsement from Davies Etta, the Deputy Leader of the House and representative of Abi constituency, who also praised the Speaker’s qualities and contributions.

In response, Speaker Ayambem expressed gratitude for the vote of confidence, attributing his emergence as Speaker to divine intervention. He vowed to lead the Assembly with love and dedication, affirming his commitment to serving the people.

As the controversy surrounding Ayambem’s academic performance unfolds, the support from the state legislature signifies a united front, emphasizing the Speaker’s leadership qualities and the belief in his ability to effectively carry out his responsibilities. However, the situation also highlights the need for policymakers and institutions to address concerns related to academic performance and student welfare in higher education.