PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Councilors from Bakassi Local Government Legislative Council have impeached its leader, Emmanuel Effion for failure to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the by-election for Akpabuyo State Constituency
It was gathered that the leader of Bakassi LG legislative council, who represent ward 2, was asked to defect to the ruling APC or face impeachement.
Following his refusal, allegations of gross misconduct, inefficiency and high-handedness, was leveled against Hon Effiong and was impeached by six out of 10 legislators loyal to APC.
In a statement made available to our reporter by the council, the legislators noted that, “we have lost confidence in his leadership and thus resolved that Emmanuel Michael Effiong, ceased to function and keep office as leader, Bakassi legislative council.”
The statement added that, “he thus stands impeached as provided for in section 33, subsection 2(c)of the Cross River State local government law, number 22 of 2007 as he cannot lead us from a minority party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”
Consequently, Hon Edem Effiom Ekeng representing ward 5 in Bakassi was elected new leader to fill the vacant position.
In his inaugural speech, the new leader said, “what we have demonstrated here today is a testament of what democracy entails. This change is a needed one and will pave way for democratic principles and legislative framework to strive.”
Ekeng maintained that, “a lot is expected of us and we must justify the trust by ensuring that we legislate for optimum service rendition and never betray the trust we owe our people.”
A new house leadership was immediately constituted with Hon. Orok Asuquo emerging the majority leader while Effanga Bassey Effanga clinched the Chief whip position.
Others are, Hon Maureen Maurice Effiom, deputy chief whip; and Hon Esoho Bassey Ekpo elected as deputy minority whip.
The new leader further enjoined the impeached leader to return all government property in his custody within 24 hours.
