Ogoja Vice Chair Yakubu removal confirmed as Cross River Assembly votes him out over alleged gross misconduct and party defection
The Cross River State House of Assembly on Tuesday removed the Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Emmanuel Yakubu, over allegations of gross misconduct in Calabar.
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The development followed a voice vote in which 19 lawmakers supported the motion for removal, one lawmaker abstained and five members were absent.
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Matthew Okache, disclosed the decision in a statement issued after plenary.
Presenting the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution, Chairman Rt. Hon. Davies Etta said the House had earlier suspended Emmanuel Yakubu for 90 days under Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law.
Davies Etta explained that the suspension allowed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.
The committee held an investigative hearing attended by the Leader of Council, Elizabeth Mbim, ward councillors and the Director of General Services and Administration, who represented the Head of Local Government Administration. All provided testimonies during the session.
According to the report, Emmanuel Yakubu was absent at the hearing but wrote to request a new date on grounds of ill health.
The committee noted that he was reportedly seen at a political rally where he defected from the All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress.
Davies Etta stated that the committee found that the vice chairman had effectively abandoned the platform that brought him into office.
The report described the defection and subsequent political activity as an infraction of Section 20(1) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, 2007 as amended.
The committee further concluded that Emmanuel Yakubu’s strained relationship with the Council Chairman and the Legislative Council reflected a disregard for constitutional authority.
Deputy Speaker Sylvester Agabi, who presided over the sitting, directed Emmanuel Yakubu to hand over all government property in his custody to the most senior civil servant in the council.
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The House maintained that the Ogoja Vice Chair Yakubu removal followed due legislative process and underscored its firm commitment to accountability and disciplined governance at the local government level.
