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Cross River APC Chairman Alphonsus Ogar Eba Removed by State Executive Committee
Alphonsus Ogar Eba has been officially ousted from his position as chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State by the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC). This decision came after serious allegations including failure to disburse salaries for four consecutive months, accusations of financial mismanagement, and exclusion of key members from decision-making processes within the State Working Committee (SWC).
Overwhelming Vote Leads to Impeachment
The impeachment was decisively supported, with 30 out of 32 SEC members voting against Eba’s continuation as chairman. This move followed a prior vote of no confidence from local government chairmen, secretaries, and vice chairmen within the party, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Further reinforcing the decision, all 196 ward chairmen of the APC in Cross River also passed a vote of no confidence, underscoring the depth of the party’s internal crisis.
Appointment of Acting Chairman and Next Steps
In the wake of Eba’s removal, the State Working Committee convened and appointed Ekum Ojogu as the acting chairman. The motion for this appointment was introduced by the State Welfare Secretary, Okara Ekawu, and seconded by the state treasurer, Mathew Egom. Ekawu cited Article 17, subsection 6 of the APC constitution as the basis for the appointment, emphasizing that it is provisional pending ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC).
Reactions from Key Stakeholders
Speaking via phone, Eba dismissed the impeachment as unfounded, stating, “My purported impeachment is a joke taken too far. God will speak at the appropriate time. I won’t say more than this for now.”
Meanwhile, acting chairman Ekum Ojogu pledged to prioritize party unity and stability. He urged all members to move past recent conflicts, describing the turmoil as something to be relegated to “the dustbin of history.” Ojogu committed to an inclusive leadership style, promising an open-door policy and collaboration with all factions within the APC.
He also expressed loyalty to Governor Bassey Otu, affirming, “I believe the challenges of the past weeks will ultimately strengthen our party.”
Context and Implications for Cross River APC
This leadership shake-up comes amid ongoing tensions within the Cross River APC, reflecting broader challenges faced by political parties in maintaining cohesion at the state level. With the acting chairman now at the helm, the party aims to restore confidence among its members and refocus on delivering effective governance and democratic dividends to the people of Cross River.
As of 2024, the APC continues to be a dominant force in Nigerian politics, but internal disputes such as this highlight the importance of transparent leadership and inclusive decision-making to sustain party strength and public trust.
