Sacked State APC Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Eba.
By Anietie Akpan
After weeks of face off, the Cross River State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Barr. Alphonsus Eba, has been removed from office.
The 18 Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries of the party had recently staged a peaceful demonstration and locked up the party secretariat insisting that the party Chairman should resign alleging financial irregularities and other things.
However, Eba has dismissed the said impeachment insisting that he had done no wrong and was not going .
But in a swift action, members of the State Executive Committee on Thursday, December 4, overwhelmingly voted to impeach Eba, alleging financial misconduct, and the shutdown of party operations in the state.
A resolution adopted by 30 out of 32 members of the State Executive Committee, the party declared Eba impeached and immediately empowered the Deputy Chairman, Ntufam Ekum Ekok Ojogu, to assume office as Acting Chairman pending ratification by the National Secretariat.
They accused him of alleged misappropriation of funds, high-handedness, prolonged closure of the party secretariat, and failure to pay statutory stipends as core reasons for the chairman’s removal.
Chairman of the APC in Boki LGA, Chief Kelvin Njong who spoke on behalf of all 18 chapter chairmen, said the impeachment was the culmination of extensive consultations and documented complaints submitted to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
He said, “the party was sick, and the virus was identified. By God’s grace, today we have removed that virus. The party has suffered misappropriation, tension, and the total shutdown of the secretariat for three months. He was not impeached for the sake of impeachment”.
The new Acting Chairman, Ntufam Ojogu, delivered an acceptance speech where he promised reconciliation, transparency, and accessibility. He praised members for standing by due process and reaffirmed the party’s unwavering loyalty to Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
“All grievances must be set aside so we can rebuild. All entitlements owed will be addressed. My doors and phone lines are open 24/7. It is time to sheath our swords,” Ojogu declared.
Ojogu commended the ward executives, polling unit coordinators, and volunteers, acknowledging their role in sustaining the party at the grassroots during the crisis.
He pledged to work closely with Governor Otu in advancing the “People First” agenda and restoring stability to the state chapter “as one indivisible APC family, we shall overcome these challenges together”.
Recall, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Stakeholder and Coalition Hopeful in the State, Mr. Austine Ibok had a week ago advised Eba not to resign.
Rather, he said if the APC should force him to resign, he should go to court noting that the plot on ground is to force him out and frustrate former Governor Ben Ayade’s second coming to the senate.
Ibok who was a former aide to the immediate past governor of the, Senator Ayade, said “he (Eba) should not resign. If they force him out, he should take the matter to court.
“His supporters, and supporters of former Governor Ayade, should be ready to challenge any attempt to remove him unfairly. It is clear he is being targeted simply because of his connection to Ayade”.
He said, “from my small experience in government and party politics, I knew there would be a problem the moment I saw the APC State Chairman leading the big welcome rally for former Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar.
“Some people say he got approval from Governor Bassey Otu. But honestly, what could the Governor have said? Could he really tell the former Governor that the rally should not hold? Even if Governor Otu had no issue with it, many of his supporters and other powerful political figures outside Cross River State would not be happy”.
Ibok brought in another twist to the Eba’s removal saga saying, “the push to remove the State Chairman may even be coming from the APC national level. Politics is full of hidden plans. Some people may want to weaken Ayade’s support base.
“With Senator Akpabio planning to return to the Senate and likely aiming for Senate President again, he may not want someone like Ayade becoming strong in the Senate race. This is why I believe that some of the stories and accusations flying around may be part of a bigger power game, and the state government may not even be directly involved.
“I have learned something important from party leadership: When people want to remove a party chairman, they often use financial accusations. That is the easiest method.
“So any chairman who wants to remain safe should make the party’s money very clear,, monthly reports, open records of all income and expenses, and audits that involve leaders from all 18 LGAs and 196 wards. A chairman has many ways to gain benefits without touching party funds, so transparency is the best protection”.
Looking at everything happening now, he maintained that, “the current accusations seem like a setup to justify removing the state chairman. Remember too that party congresses are coming soon, and different groups will be fighting for control.
“As an opposition party (PDP), we usually enjoy seeing APC in confusion, it helps us”, he said.
