Cross River Assembly Boldly and Abruptly Sacks Ogoja LGA Vice Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

The Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, has been sacked as a result of alleged gross misconduct by the Cross River State House of Assembly.

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About three months ago, the Assembly similarly sacked the Chairman of Bekwara LGA, Mrs Theresa Ushie, over same allegation of misconduct and financial impropriety after months of suspension.

The 25-man Assembly had initially suspended Yakubu for a period of 90 days few weeks ago. But the Assembly seemingly became inpatient for the 90 days to elapse.

On Monday, the lawmakers held a session on the floor of the Cross River Assembly, where a decision was reached after a voice vote to remove him.

Nineteen lawmakers voted in favour of Yakubu’s removal. One member abstained, while five members were absent.

Prior to the vote, the House deliberated on the report of its Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution, presented by the Chairman, Davies Etta, who also serves as Deputy Leader of the House.

Presenting the report, Etta recalled the impeachment notice earlier signed against Yakubu by the Ogoja Legislative Council, citing allegations of gross misconduct including abandonment of duty, disregard for constituted authority and rules of engagement, breach of oath of secrecy, and lack of working synergy with the Council Chairman, among others.

He further recalled that, after initial deliberations and in line with Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, the House, through Resolution No. 031, suspended Yakubu for 90 days to allow for a thorough investigation by the committee.

According to Etta, the committee conducted an investigative hearing attended by the Leader of Council, Elizabeth Mbim, other ward councillors, and the Director of General Services and Administration representing the Head of Local Government Administration, HOLGA, all of whom gave testimonies.

Etta stated that the Cross River committee found that Yakubu was “no longer interested in his office by leaving the party that brought him into office as Vice Chairman to join another party and work for it”.

He further noted that the vice chairman’s actions amounted to an infraction of Section 20(1) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, 2007 (as amended), adding that his lack of synergy with the council chairman and the legislative council constituted a disregard for constitutional authority and gross misconduct.

Members who contributed to the debate expressed concern that the vice chairman’s actions were detrimental to the progress of Ogoja Local Government Council.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Sylvester Agabi, who presided over the sitting, reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to upholding the rule of law in the administration of the third tier of government. He directed that Yakubu hand over all government property in his custody to the most senior civil servant in the Council.

Yakubu could not attended the session where his removal was pronounced.

It is understood that he wrote to the committee requesting another date on grounds of ill health.

But some lawmakers claimed that Yakubu was seen at a political rally where he publicly defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

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