House of Reps Probes Alleged Ethnic Bias in UCTH Recruitment, Calls for CMD’s Suspension

In a move to uphold fairness, equity, and the principle of federal character, the House of Representatives has resolved to investigate allegations of discriminatory recruitment practices at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). The resolution was passed during plenary on Thursday, January 29, 2026, following a Motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo (PDP-Ebonyi).

The motion highlighted concerns that the hospital’s recruitment processes may have violated constitutional standards, particularly regarding ethnic discrimination. According to reports, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, allegedly rejected a list of 17 newly qualified medical doctors posted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for their mandatory one-year housemanship programme. Out of these, 15 were said to be of Igbo extraction, which reportedly influenced the CMD’s decision to turn them away.

Rep. Enwo, in presenting the motion, described the alleged actions as an “ugly discriminatory practice” that contravenes Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates federal character in public institutions to promote national unity and prevent dominance by any ethnic group. He noted that despite interventions by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) UCTH chapter and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State branch, the CMD refused to reverse his stance.

The House, adopting the motion, mandated its Committee on Health Institutions to probe the matter immediately and report back within four weeks for further legislative action. Additionally, lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Health to suspend Prof. Ikpeme pending the outcome of the investigation to avoid any interference. This call for suspension has been echoed across social media, with users on X (formerly Twitter) expressing outrage over the alleged tribalism in a federal institution.

The debate in the Green Chamber also spotlighted the broader crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Lawmakers lamented the critical manpower shortage, with only about 40,000 licensed doctors currently available against an estimated need for 300,000 to adequately serve the nation’s over 200 million population. This deficit, they argued, exacerbates challenges like brain drain, inadequate facilities, and poor service delivery in public hospitals.

Sources indicate that the alleged discrimination at UCTH is not isolated, as similar complaints have surfaced in other federal agencies, undermining efforts to build a cohesive nation. The probe is expected to examine compliance with recruitment guidelines and recommend sanctions if violations are confirmed.

NaijaChoice News gathered that the South East Caucus of the House, led by Rep. Enwo, has been vocal on issues of marginalisation, and this motion aligns with ongoing advocacy for equitable representation in federal appointments. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders in the health sector are watching closely, hoping it will set a precedent for transparency and inclusivity in public service recruitment.