Cross River State Assembly Imposes Three Month Suspension on Akpabuyo Councillors Over Alleged Cultist Affiliations

Cross River Assembly suspends four Akpabuyo councillors for 90 days following reports of cult group sponsorship and attacks on council staff in March 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 9:07 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Legislative Sanctions Against Local Governance Misconduct

The Cross River House of Assembly exercised its oversight authority on April 1 by suspending four members of the Akpabuyo Legislative Council for a period of 90 days. This decisive move followed a plenary session where lawmakers reviewed allegations of gross misconduct that have reportedly paralyzed local governance. The suspended officials, identified as Innocent Mbukpa, Patrick Etim, Bassey Edet, and Tete Ubene, are now barred from legislative duties pending a comprehensive internal investigation. This intervention by the state legislature signals a zero tolerance policy toward the erosion of order within the local government tiers.

Petitions Detail a Culture of Systemic Intimidation

The impetus for the suspension was a formal petition authored by two fellow councillors, Emmanuel Archibong and Bassey Ekpo, which painted a grim picture of life within the council. The document, presented during plenary by Deputy Leader Davies Etta, alleged that the four suspended men had created an atmosphere of aggressive conduct and harassment. Most notably, the petition claimed that these officials utilized organized cult groups as instruments of fear to cow their colleagues into submission. Among those reportedly targeted was Ekpo Ekpo, the current leader of the Association of Councillors, highlighting a top down attempt to destabilize the legislative leadership.

Violent Escalation and Physical Assaults on Council Staff

Beyond legislative bullying, the allegations include a specific and violent escalation that occurred on March 23, 2026. The petition detailed a coordinated attack on council employees that resulted in various degrees of physical injury and the wanton destruction of public property. This shift from verbal intimidation to physical battery served as the primary catalyst for the Assembly's swift response. Lawmakers expressed profound concern that public office holders, entrusted with the safety of their constituents, were instead allegedly spearheading assaults against the very civil servants responsible for the council's daily operations.