Chief Henry Onwe, Chairman of the Cross River State Businessmen’s Forum, has criticised the House of Representatives for calling for the suspension of the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme. Onwe described the resolution as rushed and unfair, urging lawmakers to first conduct a proper investigation into the allegations before taking such a serious step.

In a statement issued in Calabar, Onwe said the House acted without due diligence, allegedly relying on media reports instead of verified facts. He argued that the motion, which accused the CMD of ethnic bias in the posting of medical graduates for housemanship, was adopted without hearing from all parties involved. According to him, suspending the CMD without a thorough probe goes against the principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity.

Onwe further questioned the credibility of the allegations, noting that there is no clear evidence that the affected house officers directly engaged with Prof. Ikpeme over their postings. He also challenged the House to examine the entire posting process, including who approved it, the criteria used, and why many doctors were reportedly posted to a single federal institution from one part of the country, which he said raises concerns about compliance with the federal character principle.

The business leader dismissed claims that the CMD’s actions contributed to medical brain drain, arguing that many doctors leave Nigeria after housemanship regardless of where they train. He also pointed out that UCTH has a track record of inclusiveness, citing the appointment of an Igbo woman as Head of Nursing Services in November 2025. Onwe called on lawmakers to revisit the motion, consult relevant professional bodies, and allow due process, while urging the Federal Government to suspend any action against the CMD until a full investigation is concluded.