“Probe UCTH CMD Before Suspension,” Onwe Tells Reps

Chief Henry Onwe, the chairman of the Cross River State Businessmen’s Forum, has criticized the House of Representatives resolution that calls for the suspension of Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, the chief medical director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, calling it hurried, severe, and unrealistic.

Before debating a move to suspend the CMD, Onwe urged the MPs to investigate the accusations made against him.

Onwe advised the lawmakers to proceed with prudence in a statement released in Calabar, stressing that the motion was approved without conducting a thorough inquiry into claims that the CMD handled the posting of certain medical graduates for housemanship based on ethnic considerations.

He accused the House of accepting a resolution of urgent public interest made by Mr. Iduma Igariwey, the member representing the Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, without conducting a comprehensive investigation and instead depending on media sources.

Onwe claims that the ideals of natural justice, equality, and fair play—which he stated should direct the legislature in matters of national importance—are undermined by acting on accusations without first hearing from all parties involved, especially the CMD.

He contended that the information at hand does not demonstrate that the impacted house officers had any direct communication with Prof. Ikpeme about their placement, pointing out that reports of a meeting with the CMD are being disputed and lacking proof.

Onwe also questioned why, in violation of the federal character principle enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, a disproportionate number of doctors were reportedly posted to one federal institution from a single region of the country, and why the House did not investigate the process behind the postings, including who authorized them and the criteria used.

Additionally, he refuted allegations that the CMD’s purported activities contributed to brain drain, contending that it is unjust to single out Prof. Ikpeme as the cause of shortages in the health industry when many doctors who complete housemanship in Nigeria still relocate outside.

The business leader pointed out that the House allegedly neglected to consult pertinent professional organizations like the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Calabar and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). He also mentioned that the doctors in question had already returned to training at UCTH prior to the suspension request.

Citing UCTH’s history of inclusive appointments across ethnic lines, including the recent appointment of an Igbo woman as Head of Nursing Services in November 2025 under Prof. Ikpeme’s direction, Onwe dismissed claims of racial prejudice as baseless.

He urged the House of Representatives to reconsider the motion, carry out a thorough investigation, and allow due process to prevail. He also pleaded with the Federal Government to halt any action against the CMD until a proper investigation was completed. He called on lawmakers from Cross River State to step in and stop what he called an injustice.