EXCLUSIVE: Why Bekwarra LG Chairman May Not Come Back As Assembly Extends Suspension For Another Three Months
Bassey BASSEY
THERE are strong indications that the Bekwarra local government chairman, Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie, may not return to office as Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension for a other three months, THE BEAGLES NEWS can authoritatively reveal.
Hon. Ushie was first suspended in June 2025 following allegations of gross misconduct and an impeachment move backed by eight members of the Bekwarra Legislative Council.
The Assembly subsequently mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Public Matters, and Public Petitions to investigate the matter.
At plenary on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Hon. Ovat Ogbor, representing Obubra I State Constituency, moved a motion seeking an extension of the suspension. The motion was seconded by Hon. Francis Ogban, representing Biase State Constituency.
Chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon. Davies Eta, informed the House that the extension was necessary to allow the panel conclude its fact-finding process and present a detailed report.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, thereafter ruled in favour of the motion, prolonging Hon. Ushie’s suspension for another three months.
With this resolution, the Bekwarra council boss will remain out of office until the Assembly receives and deliberates on the outcome of the committee’s investigation.
[09/09, 15:00] Judex Okoro: Add that investigations revealed that the Committee on Judiciary and Pu lic Petitions and Pu lic Maters got some financial documents they need to study before coming out with their report.
However, sources close to the committee disclosed that the councillors submitted some bank documents containing some financial transactions of the council, which exposed some shoddy deals.
The documents are said to expose all chairman's hidden. transactions and some shoddy deals running into several.millions of Naira.
Besides I side source told THE BEAGLE NEWS that some stakeholders are hell bent on scuttling her return to office after the extended three months suspension.
According to the source, the stakeholders made up powerful politicians from Bekwarra are still piqued at her conduct and disdain for them, hence they are lobbying the House not to allow her to return to her seat even as the chairman has been making discreet moves to settle with some of them.
Some of them who spoke to THE BEAGLES NEWS off record, said: "We don't want Madam back to the seat. We are comfortable with the Acting Chairman, Egbung Odama. He is doing well and he listens.
"Let Madam go and rest. We cannot entrust such a office as chairman to her. Let it serve as a lesson to others that when. You hold the people's mandate you should play cool with it."
But sources close to the the chairman Theresa are pointing accusing fingers at the Acting chairman, Egbung, who is alleged to be sponsoring protest against her boss.
The source revealed that the Acting chairman is financing the Mma-must-not return to office again, adding that all the critical stakeholders in Bekwarra are behind Egbung staying put as substantive chairman.
