The chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area in Cross River State, Hon. Theresa Ushie has been impeached.
Ushie was impeached by the legislative arm of the council following allegations of misconduct and abuse of power.
The councillors accused Ushie of poor leadership, which they claimed hindered progress and went against Governor Prince Bassey Otu’s “People First” agenda.
The impeachment, led by Council Leader Hon. Thompson Inah, followed complaints about several issues, including a lack of transparency in revenue management, misuse of funds, and secretive handling of projects.
Ushie was also accused of confrontations involving her family members, and the councillors claimed they were denied proper office spaces.
Allegations also surfaced about salaries being paid through an inaccessible bank and the mishandling of Christmas palliatives meant for residents.
After multiple failed attempts to resolve the conflict, nine out of ten councillors signed the impeachment notice, basing their action on the Cross River State Local Government Law.
They have formally notified Governor Bassey Otu and Acting Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey about their decision.
In response to the crisis, the state government has called an emergency meeting for March 24, 2025, to address the situation.
The Acting Governor has ordered that the council maintain the conditions that existed before the crisis, but it remains unclear how the leadership impasse will be resolved.
Hon. Ushie, often called the Queen of Bekwarra Nation, has not commented on her removal, as efforts to contact her were unsuccessful.
