C/River APC removes state chairman

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has impeached its chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, over allegations of financial mismanagement, abuse of office and failure to pay entitlements to party officials.

The decision was announced on Thursday at the APC state secretariat in Calabar after a meeting of the SWC, chapter executives and key stakeholders.

Eba, who became chairman in October 2021 during the administration of former governor Ben Ayade, was accused of embezzlement, misappropriation of party funds, high-handedness and persistent refusal to pay stipends to ward and chapter officers.

Eba is yet to respond to the development as of the time of filing this report.

His removal followed earlier demands by the Forum of APC Chapter Chairmen, which had repeatedly accused him of starving party officials of stipends for more than three months, a situation they said had crippled party operations statewide.

The motion for impeachment was moved by the State Welfare Secretary, Okara Ekawu, and seconded by the State Treasurer, Dr Matthew Egom. Both officials said the committee reviewed the allegations and reached a unanimous decision to remove Eba.

He has been directed to hand over all party property and documents—including the state secretariat—to an acting chairman pending further directives from the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Speaking after the impeachment, Chairman of the Forum of Chapter Chairmen and Boki LGA Chairman, Kelvin Nyong, said no previous state chairman had withheld stipends due to grassroots officials, describing Eba’s actions as unprecedented.

He also accused him of causing internal divisions and violating Sections 21:2(ii & v) of the APC Constitution by undermining local leadership structures. Party leaders and supporters present at the meeting pledged loyalty to Governor Bassey Otu, saying the change was necessary to restore peace and effective administration.

Eba has faced internal resistance before. Two years ago, senior party figures, including Chief Peter Higgins and former presidential aide Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, publicly demanded his removal.

More recently, he organised a high-profile reception for former governor Ben Ayade, declaring loyalty to him as his preferred political leader in Cross River North.

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