Bekwarra crisis: Ousted female chairman alleges persecution

The political crisis rocking Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State intensified on Monday as Governor Bassey Otu moved to swear in Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung as the new Executive Chairman of the council.

Egbung, who has been acting chairman, is scheduled to take the oath of office today, January 5, 2026, at the Government House in Calabar, following the removal of the elected chairman, Mrs Theresa Akwaji Ushie over a month ago

Ushie was initially suspended for three months in early 2025, a decision later extended by another three months by the State House of Assembly.

During the suspension period, her deputy, Egbung, assumed office in an acting capacity, backed by the state House of Assembly.

The planned swearing-in was delayed for about two weeks amid public outcry, legal threats and controversy surrounding Ushie’s impeachment by 17 councillors over allegations of financial and administrative misconduct and high-handedness.

During the suspension period, her deputy, Egbung, assumed office in an acting capacity, backed by the state House of Assembly.

The planned swearing-in was delayed for about two weeks amid public outcry, legal threats and controversy surrounding Ushie’s impeachment by 17 councillors over allegations of financial and administrative misconduct and high-handedness.

In an interview with Ekwutosblog, Ushie described her removal as persecution driven by gender bias.

“I don’t feel happy at all. What they are doing is unfair, illegal and an abuse of power. All this is because I am a woman,” she said, insisting that her mandate, freely given by the people of Bekwarra, remains intact.

She alleged that hostility toward her leadership began immediately after her election victory, claiming that some stakeholders were uncomfortable with having a woman as council chairman.

Ushie also accused the Speaker of exhibiting intolerance toward female council chairmen in the state, citing an alleged incident some time ago involving the chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Mrs Mercy Nsor, when he threatened to slap her over money

While acknowledging that she wrote a letter dated December 8, 2025, to Governor Otu, Ushie maintained that it did not amount to a valid resignation.

She argued that under Nigeria’s Interpretation Act, a resignation addressed to the Governor is legally defective since she was elected by the people of Bekwarra and not appointed by the executive.

She further faulted what she described as contradictions in the Assembly’s actions, noting that the House initially removed her for alleged misconduct but later claimed that a resignation letter superseded the impeachment.

According to her, this raises serious questions about due process and legality.

Reacting, the Speaker, Ayambem maintained that Ushie’s removal was not arbitrary but followed due process.

He said the House acted based on the findings of an investigative committee which indicted the chairman for gross misconduct.

Ayambem added that the Assembly remained committed to transparency, accountability and the rule of law in local governance, stressing that its actions were taken in the interest of the state and the people, hence the decision to swear in the deputy chairman.