The internal turmoil within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State intensified on Thursday as embattled former Chairman Alphonsus Eba dismissed his impeachment as a “joke taken too far,” even as Ntufam Ekum Ojogu was formally sworn in as acting chairman at the party’s State Secretariat in Calabar.
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Eba, speaking in a telephone interview shortly after the emergency State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting, expressed incredulity at the proceedings. “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,” he declared, signaling his intent to challenge the decision without elaborating further.
The SEC’s vote to remove Eba passed overwhelmingly, with 30 of 32 members in favor, backed by a vote of no confidence from 196 ward chairmen statewide. The move, justified under Article 17, Subsection 6 of the APC Constitution, was proposed by State Welfare Secretary Mr. Okara Ekawu and seconded by State Treasurer Dr. Mathew Egom. It stems from longstanding grievances, including allegations of financial misappropriation, high-handedness, and failure to pay stipends to party officials at chapter and ward levels. Eba has vehemently denied these accusations, countering that his critics are the true embezzlers of over ₦60 million in party funds.
In a swift transition, Ojogu was unveiled and took his oath of office amid applause from assembled party loyalists, including chapter chairmen from the 18 local government areas. The ceremony, captured in photos by Emem Julius, underscored the SEC’s resolve to restore stability. Ojogu, addressing the gathering, struck a tone of gratitude and unity.
“I give profound thanks to Almighty God for His grace that has brought us to this moment. I am deeply humbled and honoured to stand before you today as the Acting Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, Cross River State,” Ojogu said. He praised the solidarity, loyalty, and support of members during the turbulent transition, calling it a testament to the resilience and love shared for the party and for Cross River State.
Ojogu explicitly linked Eba’s ouster to the vote of no confidence from party leaders, framing it as a necessary step aimed at restoring order and accountability. He extended thanks to every member who stood firm for due process and party stability, particularly chapter chairmen, ward executives, polling unit coordinators, and volunteers who have kept the party’s operations alive.
Emphasizing an inclusive approach, the new acting chairman pledged open-door leadership, assuring members of his accessibility at all times. He reaffirmed the party’s loyalty to Governor Bassey Otu, urging all factions to put aside differences and unite behind the administration’s development agenda. Ojogu vowed to work tirelessly with stakeholders to strengthen grassroots structures and deliver dividends of democracy to the people, promising round-the-clock efforts toward these goals.
This leadership shake-up follows weeks of escalating tensions that erupted in late November. On November 11, 18 chapter chairmen and 17 secretaries issued a no-confidence motion against Eba over alleged fund mismanagement. By November 15, viral videos from chapter leaders amplified calls for his resignation, which he dismissed as politically motivated. The SEC’s action on December 4 marks the culmination of these pressures, with Ojogu’s interim role set to last until ratification by the National Working Committee and a forthcoming state congress.
As Eba hints at potential recourse, possibly through legal means or higher party channels, the APC’s Cross River chapter remains on the brink of deeper division.
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