IKONO COUNCIL CHAIRMAN FACES SACK NEXT MONTH OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS
The embattled Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Hon. Otobong Essien, is on the verge of being sacked following a weighty petition submitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly alleging gross financial misconduct, abuse of office, and legislative sabotage.
The petition—signed by the Leader of the 8th Ikono Legislative Council, Hon. Saviour Ebong, his Deputy Hon. Idorenyin Akpan, and ten other councillors—accuses the Council Chairman of unauthorized withdrawals from the local government’s treasury without the consent or approval of the legislative arm, in direct violation of the Local Government Administration Law.
Presented during Tuesday’s plenary by Hon. Aniefiok Attah, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights, and Public Petitions, and supported by Hon. Kenim Onofiok and Hon. Selina Ukpatu, the motion signals the beginning of what appears to be a coordinated legislative move to remove the Chairman from office.
The councillors described Chairman Essien’s conduct as “dishonourable, illegal, and a blatant abuse of power,” accusing her of disregarding council protocols and undermining the authority of the legislative arm. In their petition, they further alleged that Essien employed security agents to intimidate lawmakers and obstruct legislative proceedings—an act the councillors labelled as “deliberate sabotage.”
In what could amount to an impeachable offence, the councillors also cited Section 66(1) of the Local Government Administration Law, accusing her of outright misappropriation of public funds, chronic absenteeism from council sessions, and a complete breakdown in administrative order under her leadership.
“The overall conduct of the Chairman reflects her unwillingness and unpreparedness to govern… Her careless attitude and serial misconduct must be addressed immediately,” the petition reads.
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, has since referred the matter to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The Committee has been directed to summon the Chairman, Head of Service, and the leadership of the Legislative Council, and to submit a full report within three weeks—a timeline that places the Chairman’s fate squarely in June.
Political watchers say the probe is likely to result in Hon. Essien’s removal, making her the first local government chairperson to face a no-confidence vote in the state under the current Assembly. Sources inside the council say many lawmakers are already rallying support for an impeachment motion, citing a lack of confidence in her leadership.
As the Assembly resumes plenary on Thursday, May 15, all eyes will be on the findings of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Committee—findings that could end the turbulent tenure of Hon. Otobong Essien barely a year into her administration.
