C’River APC chair rejects removal as party names replacement

File photo: Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Alphonsus Eba

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The All Progressives Congress in Cross River State has appointed Ntufam Ojogu as its acting chairman, following the impeachment of former state chairman, Alphonsus Eba, over allegations of misappropriation of funds, high-handedness, and non-payment of stipends to party officials across chapters and wards.

Ojogu was unveiled on Thursday at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, where he pledged to stabilise the party and strengthen its grassroots structures.

He thanked members for their support during the transition and described the party’s unity as “a testament to the resilience and love we share for our party and for Cross River State.”

He said, “We will work day and night to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I extend my sincere appreciation to the chapter chairmen of the 18 local government areas. Your dedication at the grassroots has kept the party’s flame alive.”

Ojogu also commended ward executives, polling unit coordinators, and volunteers for keeping the party’s structures active.

He promised an open-door leadership style, assuring that he would remain accessible to all party members.

The acting chairman reaffirmed loyalty to Governor Bassey Otu and urged party members to set aside differences, unite, and support the administration’s development agenda.

The appointment follows the impeachment of Eba, which was announced in a communique issued at the APC secretariat in Calabar and signed by members of the State Party Working Committee, chapter executives, and other stakeholders.

The action was reportedly supported by a vote of no confidence from the 18 local government chapter chairmen and 196 ward chairmen across the state.

The motion for the appointment of an acting chairman was moved by the State Welfare Secretary, Mr Okara Ekawu, and seconded by the State Treasurer, Dr Matthew Egom.

The party directed Eba to hand over all properties and dispositions to the acting chairman, including the party secretariat, to ensure the smooth running of the party pending ratification by the National Working Committee.

Eba, however, rejected the purported impeachment, describing it as “a joke taken too far” and insisting that the decision was unjust and premature.

Speaking in a telephone interview on Thursday, he said, “God will speak at the appropriate time. I won’t say more than this for now.”

The leadership of the Forum of Chapter Chairmen, led by Kelvin Nyong, who is also the Boki LGA party chairman, described Eba’s conduct as unprecedented.

Nyong accused him of inciting divisions within the party and violating provisions of the APC constitution, while stressing that previous party chairmen had never withheld stipends meant for chapter and ward officials.

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