Several members of the Bakassi Legislative Assembly have faulted the process leading to the submission and approval of the 2026 budget, describing it as “illegal,” procedurally flawed, and a direct affront to legislative authority. The lawmakers have consequently demanded the immediate withdrawal of the budget for proper scrutiny in line with established legislative procedures.

Lawmakers Raise Alarm During Plenary

The controversy came to the fore during plenary on Thursday, when explanations offered by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs. Jesam Odu, revealed that the 2026 budget had allegedly been prepared, submitted, and assented to by the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government, Mr. Effiong Etim Okon, before the end of December—without the formal involvement of the Assembly.

Akahi News gathered that the revelation sparked outrage among councillors, who insisted that the Assembly was sidelined throughout a process that constitutionally demands legislative participation, debate, and approval.

“The Budget Did Not Follow Due Process” — Lawmakers

Leading the debate, Hon. Miriam Okon (Ward 3) told the House that the budget failed to pass through mandatory stages such as second reading, committee consideration, and public hearing.

According to her, any budget approved outside these recognised processes cannot stand in law.

“If the budget was approved without legislative amendments and without going through the normal process, then it is illegal,” she said, stressing that elected councillors were denied the opportunity to reflect the needs and priorities of their constituents.

Echoing similar concerns, Hon. Ita Edet Nyoki (Ward 5) questioned the justification for what was described as time pressure in submitting the budget, noting that other local government councils were still at various stages of budget consideration.

He argued that excluding councillors from the process effectively stripped them of their constitutional responsibility to represent their wards and participate in governance.

Assembly Committee Chair Describes Move as Unprecedented

The Deputy Leader of the Assembly and Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Prince Mkpeti (Ward 6), described the development as unprecedented not only in Bakassi Local Government but also within Cross River State.

He insisted that no budget can be validly submitted, approved, or implemented without the input and approval of the Assembly and its relevant committees.

“We cannot have a situation where a budget is taken to the chairman without the knowledge of the House. That kind of budget cannot be forced on the people,” he said, calling unequivocally for the document to be returned to the Assembly for proper legislative action.

Wider Condemnation from Assembly Members

Other lawmakers, including Hon. Ene Edet (Ward 4), Hon. Nkoyo Effiong Okon (Ward 9), and Hon. Kenneth Orok Edem (Ward 8), also condemned the process, describing it as a serious breach of legislative norms and an erosion of the authority of the Assembly.

Observers noted that the consensus across party and ward lines underscored the depth of dissatisfaction within the House over what members perceived as executive overreach.

Clerk Apologises, Cites External Instructions

Responding to the allegations, the Clerk of the Assembly apologised to members, admitting that the budget was submitted without the direct involvement of the Assembly’s leadership.

She explained that her action was based on instructions allegedly received from the Director of Budget in the council, who cited submission deadlines from the supervising ministry.

“I am very sorry for taking the budget without the leader. I was working based on the information available to me at the time,” she said.

Assembly Leadership Rejects Explanation

However, the Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Grace Bassey, rejected the explanation, insisting that the Clerk lacked the authority to approve or submit any budget without legislative endorsement.

She stated that the action undermined the institution of the Assembly and set a dangerous precedent if allowed to stand.

Demand for Reversal and Proper Scrutiny

Following deliberations, lawmakers formally demanded that the 2026 budget be reversed and subjected to full legislative scrutiny, including readings, committee reviews, and stakeholder engagements, in accordance with established procedures.

Akahi News learnt that the Assembly is expected to take further steps to ensure that future budget processes strictly comply with constitutional and legislative requirements, as members vowed to defend the integrity of the House.

As the situation unfolds, analysts believe the dispute highlights broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the balance of power at the local government level.

Akahi News www.akahinews.org