CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA – The Cross River State House of Assembly has officially removed the Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Emmanuel Yakubu, following accusations of gross misconduct and a breach of official duties. Okay News reports that the decision was made during a legislative session on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The action came after a voice vote in which 19 lawmakers voted for Yakubu’s removal. One lawmaker abstained from voting, and five members were absent from the session.
Presenting the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions, and Conflict Resolution, the committee chairman, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, stated, “After initial deliberations and in line with Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, the House, through Resolution No. 031, suspended Yakubu for 90 days to allow for a thorough investigation by the committee.”
The committee conducted an investigative hearing attended by Elizabeth Mbim, the Leader of Council, other ward councillors, and the Director of General Services and Administration, who represented the Head of Local Government Administration. Each witness provided testimony concerning the Vice Chairman’s conduct.
According to Etta, Yakubu was absent at the investigative hearing and requested a postponement due to ill health. However, he was reportedly present at a political rally where he publicly defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). “He added that the committee found that Yakubu was no longer interested in his office by leaving the party that brought him into office as Vice Chairman to join another party and work for it,” the statement read in part.
Etta also emphasized that Yakubu’s conduct constituted a violation of Section 20(1) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, 2007 (as amended). The Vice Chairman’s lack of coordination with both the Council Chairman and the Legislative Council reflected disregard for constitutional authority and amounted to gross misconduct.
Deputy Speaker Sylvester Agabi, who presided over the session, instructed, “Hon. Yakubu hand over all government property in his custody to the most senior civil servant in the Council.”
The statement concluded that the removal followed due legislative process and demonstrated the Assembly’s commitment to accountability, discipline, and effective governance in Ogoja Local Government Council.
