Cross River: Yala Legislative Council Suspends Leader

YALA – The 7th Yala Legislative Council has suspended its leader, Hon. Mary Eje, for three months. The suspension was signed by 13 members of the legislative assembly.

Converseer reports that Eje’s suspension came in shortly after the Legislative Assembly held a meeting on the matter on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.

According to the outcome of the meeting, Eje was alleged to have lukewarm attitude towards the Director of Finance and Supply, hoarding and hiding information from the members, gross ineffectiveness, ineptitude, incompetence and inexperience, among others.

The local government lawmakers said Eje’s attitude is an aberration to the Local Government Administration’s bylaws in Nigeria (section 4.2.1c).

They mandated the Deputy Leader to preside over the affairs of the house, which, according to them, is in line with order 2.7 of uniform standing orders.

See the full letter as transcribed by Converseer below:

YALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL 7TH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

6th May, 2025.

A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE ON THE LEADER OF YALA 7TH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

In order to maintain the rights and privileges and to maintain the house integrity of the 7th Legislative Assembly, we hereby move A Vote of No Confidence on the leadership of the Yala Local Government Council 7th Legislative Assembly based on the leadership (particularly the leader of council Hon. Eje Mary) ineptitude, incompetence and inexperience ranging from;

1. Her Lukewarmness attitude towards enforcement of the Director of Finance and Supply (DFS) invitation. It should be noted that the DFS who was invited for four times to appear before the house with the Income and expenditures of Yala Council from November last year to date and to explain reasons why Yala workers receive salary late and other issues refused to appear before this Legislative assembly and Leader lacks the courage to order a warrant of arrest of the DFS as enshrined the Cross River State Local Government Law section 42 (1b) and Section 42: subsection (2). This is in aberration to the Local Government Administration bye-law in Nigeria (section 4.2.1c).
2. The Supervising Councilor for Finance and Works refused to appear before the committees and the leader lacks the ideas of the position of the law to be used against them.
3. Hoarding and hiding information from the members.
4. Aiding the executive to frustrate the oversight function of the Legislative Arm.
5. Exposing the legislators to public ridicule and humiliation.
6. Inability to follow up the executive to implement house motions and recommendations of the legislative council.
7. Gross ineffective and inefficient approaches to legislative matters.
8. Unruly behaviour, aiding the executive to underrate the Yala 7th legislatures.
9. The fact remains that the leadership of the parliament are merely chosen among equals, as we were all elected the same way by our constituents; the intent of Supremacy by our parliamentary leader to lord herself over other colleagues is immaterial.

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For these gross inadequacies, ineptitude and high level of irresponsibility displayed, the leader (Hon. Mary Eje) is hereby suspended for three months, beginning today (6/05/2025). Hence, the deputy leader shall preside over the affairs of the house in line with order 2.7 of uniform standing orders.

Signed by:

1. Hon. Gregory Odey Iyaji – Councilor, Okpoma Ward
2. Hon. Ekpabi Monday – Councilor, Ijiraga Ward
3. Hon. Mohie Christopher – Councilor, Yache Ward
4. Hon. Sylvester Agara – Councilor, Igede Ward
5. Hon. Ebiale David Udaga – Councilor, Wanihem Ward
6. Hon. Oko Simon Onah – Councilor, Ugaga Ward
7. Hon. Ogar Joseph – Councilor, Okuku Ward
8. Hon. Oboh Peter Ofana – Councilor, Yahe Ward
9. Hon. Egwa Joseph – Councilor, Wanokom
10. Hon. Aleje Emmanuel Odey – Councilor, O’oh Ward
11. Hon. Monday Akpa – Councilor, Gabu Ward
12. Udama Joy Ebi – Councilor, Mfuma/Ntrigon Ward
13. Hon. Achadu Martha Ebebe Councilor, Wanikade Ward