By Onwa Ekor
The Cross River House of Assembly has sacked the Chairman of Bekwarra local government area, Hon Theresa Ushie, on allegations of gross misconduct.
The decision, reached during the Wednesday plenary session, followed the adoption of the investigative report of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution, which found the embattled Chairman guilty of multiple violations viewed as harmful to the effective administration of the council.
Presenting the Committee’s report, its Chairman, Rt Hon Davies Etta representing Abi State Constituency, outlined the various steps taken by the Committee while investigating the petition against the Chairman, earlier received by the House and referred to his Committee which led to her suspension from office.
Etta said that the allegations levelled against Ushie included; “corruption and misconduct, abuse of power, arbitrary stoppage of Councillors’ salaries and running the Council like a Sole Administrator.”
He disclosed that, in the course of its investigation, the Committee met with the Chairman, aggrieved councillors, traditional rulers as well as political stakeholders of the local government area.
He added that the Committee found the allegations levelled against Ushie to be true, a development which also constitute gross misconduct.
“All these as mentioned, are the major infractions of the suspended Chairman, Hon. Theresa Ushie who failed in her responsibility to submit monthly income and expenditure of Council to the Legislative Council as required by Law.
“She also failed in the performance of her functions to address the Legislative Council on the state of affairs of the Council which is the reason that the Councillors addressed her as Sole Administrator.
“In summary, her actions contravene the provisions of sections 3, 39, 41 and 42 of the Cross River State Local Government Law 2007 (as amended),” Etta noted.
In separate contributions, members described Ushie’s behaviour as unfortunate adding that it’s alarming that she disregarded the laws governing the office of the LGA Chairman.
The House also, relying on the provisions of the CRS Local Government Law which states that;
“where allegations of misconduct are confirmed or established, the House of Assembly may remove any of these officials, whether elected or appointed by 2/3 majority of all the Members of the House,” carried out a voice vote where 19 members voted for Ushie’s removal, 5 members were absent while the Speaker was an unbiased umpire.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem, said the removal of Ushie is necessary to restore transparency and accountability in local government administration.
He further emphasised that the House duly followed the Law in its duty, directing that, the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission should, within a period of 30 days from the date of her removal, conduct a Bye-election to fill the vacancy.
