The Chairman of the Cross River State Business Men’s Forum, Chief Henry Onwe, has described the House of Representatives’ call for the suspension of the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Dr. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, as hasty, impulsive, and unrealistic.

Speaking during an interview in Calabar on Monday, Chief Onwe urged caution and thorough investigation before any action is taken on the matter, which stems from recent controversies surrounding the disengagement of some medical interns at the hospital.

The House of Representatives adopted a motion of urgent public importance, moved by Hon. Iduma Igariwey (Afikpo South/Afikpo North Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State), urging the Federal Government to suspend the CMD over issues related to the interns’ placements.

Chief Onwe criticized the decision to adopt the motion without conducting a detailed inquiry, describing it as premature and potentially setting a dangerous precedent.

“The call by the House of Representatives on the Federal Government to suspend the UCTH Chief Medical Director, Dr. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, based on the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, is hasty, harsh and unrealistic,” Chief Onwe said.

He expressed concern that recent public discussions about internship placements at UCTH had raised serious issues, but stressed the need for careful verification of all claims.

“As a concerned citizen of Cross River State who has followed the public discourse closely in recent weeks, acting on such allegations without careful and thorough investigation would be counterproductive,” he stated.

Chief Onwe emphasized that decisions involving national institutions require due process, fairness, and the opportunity for all parties to be heard.

“For a matter involving a body as significant as the National Assembly, there is a compelling need for a thorough investigation in which all parties involved are given the opportunity to express themselves fully before any decision is reached, in the interest of fairness, equity and justice,” he added.

He noted that available information does not confirm direct interaction between the affected house officers and the Chief Medical Director regarding their placements, and questioned the accuracy of claims about meetings or decisions made by the CMD.

Chief Onwe pointed out that no evidence has emerged of any formal or informal statement from Dr. Ikpeme indicating rejection of interns on any grounds.

“It is therefore disturbing that an allegation is being acted upon at the Federal House of Representatives without clear proof or firsthand engagement with the Chief Medical Director,” he said.

He reiterated that Dr. Ikpeme remains the only authorized official to speak on behalf of UCTH, and that the House did not seek his input before adopting the motion.

Chief Onwe called for calm, dialogue, and adherence to due process, urging relevant authorities to allow full investigations to proceed.

He stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could deepen divisions or undermine public confidence in institutions.

The Cross River business leader advocated for constructive engagement to resolve the matter fairly and maintain institutional integrity at UCTH.