Cross River Assembly suspends Bakwarra Council Chairman – Converseer

CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Chairman of Bakwarra Local Government Council in Cross River State, Hon. Theresa Ushie, has been suspended from office for a period of three months by the State House of Assembly.

The suspension followed a petition and resolution presented to the Assembly by nine out of 10 Councillors from the local government area, who accused the Chairman of corruption, abuse of power, and halting Councillors’ salaries, among other allegations.

The Councillors had previously attempted to impeach Hon. Ushie three months ago, bringing their complaints before key state authorities, including the Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu; the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba.

Following a stakeholders’ meeting involving Governor Otu, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the APC State Chairman, the aggrieved Councillors, and other parties from Bakwarra LGA, a resolution was reached to suspend the Chairman.

Announcing the suspension, Rt. Hon. Ayambem said the decision was taken in accordance with Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, 2025. He stated that due process was followed in handling the petition and that the House would not condone any form of misconduct in the management of local government affairs.

“In line with the provisions of the law, the House has resolved to suspend the Chairman of Bakwarra Local Government Council, Hon. Theresa Ushie, for three months. During this period, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Egbung Odama, will assume office in an acting capacity,” the Speaker said.

The Assembly also announced the constitution of an investigative committee to thoroughly examine the allegations brought against the suspended Chairman. The outcome of the investigation, the Speaker noted, will determine the next line of action.

The suspension has sparked renewed attention on local government accountability and the role of legislative oversight in Cross River State.