By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) on Wednesday moved a motion for the removal of Hon. Theresa Ushie as the Executive Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area.
This follows the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Judiciary and Public Petitions.
Her removal was affirmed after 19 out of 25 lawmakers voted in support during Wednesday, 10 December 2025, plenary.
Presenting the report, the Committee stated that the petition dated 19 May 2025, raised serious concerns about how the council was being run. According to the report, the councillors accused the suspended chairman of corruption, misuse of authority, arbitrary stoppage of their salaries, and operating the council without compliance with due process.
“After meeting with the petitioners, the suspended chairman, and various stakeholders in Abuochiche, the Committee found the allegations weighty and clearly established,” the Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, said while presenting the findings.
“The conduct of the chairman fell below the expectations of her office, and the evidence before us supports her removal.”
The report further noted that the Committee’s visit to Bekwarra provided additional clarity. “Community members and officials gave testimonies that reinforced the concerns raised in the petition,” Etta added.
Adopting the recommendations, the House resolved that Hon. Theresa Ushie be removed from office for gross misconduct.
The Assembly also directed the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) to conduct a by-election within 30 days to fill the vacant position.
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In his closing remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem emphasised the Assembly’s commitment to accountability, noting, “This House will always defend transparency and uphold the law. Our duty is to the people of Cross River State.”
Recall that the embattled Chairman was impeached by the Legislative arm of the Council, in a unanimous resolution on 20 March 2025.
The impeachment was followed by suspension from office for a period of three months by the State House of Assembly in June.
The Vice Chairman, Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung, was later sworn in as the Acting Chairman by Governor Bassey Otu on 16 June 2025.
The House of Assembly has extended the suspension of Hon. Ushie, for another 90 days, in September, to allow its investigative committee to conclude its probe into allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
