Ukorebi Esien | January 18, 2026
IKOM - Tension is rising in Ikom Local Government Area following allegations that the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA), Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, is behind an alleged plot to remove the Executive Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor, through what critics describe as a "backdoor ouster."
Multiple political sources and stakeholders in the area claim that the alleged move is aimed at replacing the elected chairman with the Vice Chairman, Hon. Maurice Ekpando, who is said to be politically aligned with the Speaker. The development has triggered widespread concern, with many describing it as an attempt to seize control of the political structure of Ikom LGA outside established democratic and legal processes.
According to insiders familiar with the situation, pressure is allegedly being mounted on relevant authorities using vague and unverified allegations against the chairman. Critics argue that no formal breach of the Local Government Law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been established to warrant such a move.
The controversy has drawn strong reactions from major political stakeholders in Ikom, including former Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, legal practitioners, former lawmakers, and community leaders, who are said to be firmly backing Hon. Mercy Nsor. They credit her administration with maintaining peace, stability, and steady development since assuming office.
Adding weight to the resistance, the legislative arm of the Ikom Local Government Council, led by Hon. Moyo Efale, has publicly aligned with the chairman. The eleven elected councillors reportedly insist that Hon. Nsor has not violated any provision of the Local Government Laws or the Nigerian Constitution, effectively dismissing claims used to justify her alleged removal.
"This is not about governance; it is about control," a stakeholder who spoke on condition of anonymity said. "You cannot remove an elected chairman through political manipulation. That is an assault on democracy."
The allegations have also fueled broader political debates, with some observers linking the reported move to long-term political calculations and power realignment within the state. Others warn that such actions, if pursued, could destabilize not just Ikom LGA but local government administration across Cross River State.
IKOM - Tension is rising in Ikom Local Government Area following allegations that the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA), Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, is behind an alleged plot to remove the Executive Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor, through what critics describe as a "backdoor ouster."
Multiple political sources and stakeholders in the area claim that the alleged move is aimed at replacing the elected chairman with the Vice Chairman, Hon. Maurice Ekpando, who is said to be politically aligned with the Speaker. The development has triggered widespread concern, with many describing it as an attempt to seize control of the political structure of Ikom LGA outside established democratic and legal processes.
According to insiders familiar with the situation, pressure is allegedly being mounted on relevant authorities using vague and unverified allegations against the chairman. Critics argue that no formal breach of the Local Government Law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been established to warrant such a move.
The controversy has drawn strong reactions from major political stakeholders in Ikom, including former Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, legal practitioners, former lawmakers, and community leaders, who are said to be firmly backing Hon. Mercy Nsor. They credit her administration with maintaining peace, stability, and steady development since assuming office.
Adding weight to the resistance, the legislative arm of the Ikom Local Government Council, led by Hon. Moyo Efale, has publicly aligned with the chairman. The eleven elected councillors reportedly insist that Hon. Nsor has not violated any provision of the Local Government Laws or the Nigerian Constitution, effectively dismissing claims used to justify her alleged removal.
"This is not about governance; it is about control," a stakeholder who spoke on condition of anonymity said. "You cannot remove an elected chairman through political manipulation. That is an assault on democracy."
The allegations have also fueled broader political debates, with some observers linking the reported move to long-term political calculations and power realignment within the state. Others warn that such actions, if pursued, could destabilize not just Ikom LGA but local government administration across Cross River State.
Responding to the allegations, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, was quoted as offering a detailed account of events surrounding a recent stakeholders' engagement in Ikom. According to him, "a whole lot isn't going on right in Ikom," noting that concerns were raised by community leaders over the council's administration. He explained that a stakeholders' meeting was convened to address unresolved issues from an earlier engagement held two weeks prior, where it was resolved that the chairman should account for certain matters. The Speaker said the follow-up meeting, which reportedly drew 47 Ikom leaders from across the country, including Abuja and Enugu, went ahead despite the absence of the council chairman. "The chairman did not attend, did not send a representative, not even the vice chairman or secretary, and no excuse was communicated," he said, adding that she was reportedly in Ikom at the time. He further claimed that allegations of maladministration were raised at the meeting, including concerns over revenue generation and the handling of funds sent to the council by the state government. "This is not about removing anyone by force," the Speaker was quoted as saying. "I came as a leader of Ikom to listen to what the people had to say and to allow the chairman an opportunity to explain these allegations. I have documents and evidence that these issues were discussed by the leadership." He stressed that the gathering was intended to ensure accountability and that "Ikom cannot be run like a sole administration without explanation to its people." He emphasized that the concern of stakeholders was that Ikom Local Government "cannot continue to be run like a sole administration without accountability," adding that the leadership felt compelled to act in the interest of transparency and good governance.
As the situation unfolds, residents of Ikom LGA remain on edge, calling for transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for the people's mandate. Political analysts warn that any attempt to forcefully remove an elected local government chairman without due process could set a dangerous precedent in the state.
0 comments: