By Frank Ulom
OGOJA (CONVERSEER) – The Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, Hon. Christopher Agbeh, has issued a directive banning public gatherings in the council, creating political tension in Northern Cross River State.
The directive, Converseer gathered came after a notice of planned defection of the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakurr, from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was alleged that the Vice Chairman may be dumping the ruling APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the coming days.
A public service announcement signed by Hon. Sonnie Okem, PhD, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Ogoja on behalf of the Chairman, on 5 January 2026, noted that anyone who wants to organise any gathering of such must seek permission from the Chairman.
“This is to inform the general public that all public gatherings and large crowd meetings within Ogoja Local Government Area are hereby suspended unless prior permission is obtained from the Executive Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council.
“Members of the public are advised to comply strictly with this directive. Any individual or group found violating this order shall be prosecuted accordingly.
“This measure is in the interest of public order and safety. Your cooperation is highly appreciated,” the statement read.
Confirming his defection on Tuesday, Yakubu in a post on Facebook alleged that Agbeh is making concerting efforts to twart his defection rally.
“It Is Obvious Chris Agbeh Is Scared That The Governor Will See How Unpopular He Is, By The Time I Hold My Defection Rally, So He Is Making Efforts To See That I Do Not Hold A Defection Rally.
“It Is Very Laughable And All Their Antics Are Anticipated. I Will Not Be Bullied, What Will Be Will Be. On What Grounds Is Chris Agbeh Suspending Public Gatherings?
“I WILL DEFECT TO THE ADC AND THERE IS NOTHING CHRIS AGBEH CAN DO ABOUT IT!” Yakubu stated.
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Responding, an ADC chieftain in the state, Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah, urged Governor Bassey Otu to call the Chairman to order to avoid the political brouhaha associated with Rivers State in recent times.
“This outlandish character that is currently manifesting in Rivers State is strange to our political culture in Cross River.
“His Excellency, Apostle Prince Bassey Otu, was recently given an award for being media-friendly, a veritable tool for political tolerance.
“The Chairman of Ogoja LGA, Hon Chris Agbeh has gone gagga, and he’s acting WIKEd. Ogoja is not a no-go area. It smacks of political rascality for a local government chairman to ban gatherings. The governor should call him to order immediately.
“And for the PhD holder (CPS) who signed this document, he is nothing but an educated bandit.
“I call for political tolerance in Cross River State
“I say no to political desperation,” Attah stated.
Converseer reports that the political tension in Ogoja has taken a wild turn following reports of top State Government officials allegedly sponsoring the impeachment of Yakubu. The Vice Chairman earlier threatened to resign from the APC.
