A power struggle is brewing in Ikom Local Government Area as Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem is reportedly working to remove the Executive Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor, to install Vice Chairman, Hon. Maurice Ekpando, who was outrightly handpicked by the Speaker and has remained a loyal pet to the Speaker, in her place.
Sources close to the matter reveal alarming evidence of Speaker Ayambem’s desperation to effect the change, sparking concerns of political maneuvering and undermining democratic processes, the struggle and desperation of the Speaker is for him to take over the structures of Ikom LGA to suit his third-term agenda after being rejected by his constituency as seen in the last elections that brought him in.
His strategy is to get a third-term bid with the intention of running for Governor come 2031. Reports have it that the said Speaker Ayambem has been lobbying other House Members to topple the administration of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu whom he claims does not care about the State Legislature, whereas, the State House of Assembly under his watch has continued to revolt against him with reasons that he is fraudulent and full of financial misappropriations.
According to insiders close to the Speaker, Speaker Ayambem has been exerting pressure on relevant authorities to remove Hon. Nsor, citing unspecified, unverified, and baseless reasons. The move is widely seen as an attempt to install a preferred candidate of his choice, Hon. Ekpando, as the new Chairman to purportedly take over the leadership of the LGA.
Hon.. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor, who took office with a mandate to drive development in Ikom LGA, as evidently shown, has garnered support from residents and major Stakeholders of Ikom LGA like Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, Chief Barr. Chris Agam Agara, Barr. Bassey Okim, Hon. Dr. Tony Ngban, Hon. Kingsley Egumi, Hon. Chris Itafu Njar, Hon. Ayiba Ojong, and many more very important Stakeholders who pull weight and sway in the Ikom LGA politics, for their efforts in promoting peace, transparency, and progress. Her removal, if effected, could spark tensions in the area.
The Speaker’s actions have drawn criticism from some quarters, Stakeholders, and even the Councillors, questioning the motives behind the push and sudden desperation. “This is a clear case of power play. The people of Ikom deserve a leader chosen through due process, not installed through backroom deals,” one of the Stakeholders said angrily.
Efforts to reach Speaker Ayambem for comment were unsuccessful, with aides citing his busy schedule. However, sources suggest the Speaker is determined to push through with the plan, citing “restructuring” needs.
Ikom residents are bracing for possible developments, with many calling for transparency and respect for democratic principles. The situation remains fluid as Stakeholders and even the eleven elected Councillors await the next steps.
The outcome could have implications for governance and stability in Cross River State’s local government councils, as it’s never been seen or heard that an Assembly member who emerged a Speaker through majority of the vote of his colleagues will dare have the guts to remove an elected Chairman, that cannot be accepted in Cross River State under the leadership of Apostle Senator [Prince] Bassey Edet Otu.
What’s more important and interesting is the fact that the legislative arm of the Local Government Council, under the leadership of Hon. Moyo Efale, has stood behind the Executive Chairman, stating that she has not erred in any of the provisions of the Local Government Laws and even the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is a clear indication that the Chairman of Ikom LGA is on the right track and is going nowhere.
