The All Progressives Congress (APC)in Cross River State has demanded the removal of its State Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, over allegations of embezzlement, misconduct, and misappropriation of party funds, as well as the non-payment of stipends to party officials at the chapter and ward levels for over three months.
In a communiqué issued in Calabar, the state capital, and signed by the Forum of Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries on Tuesday, the group accused Eba of actions that have “crippled party operations and worsened the welfare of officials across the state.”
Chairman of the Forum and Boki LGA party chairman, Kelvin Nyong, said that no previous party chairman had withheld stipends meant for chapter and ward officials, describing Eba’s conduct as unprecedented.
He also accused the chairman of inciting divisions within the party by turning ward and chapter officials against their local leadership, an act he said contravenes Sections 21:2(ii & v) of the APC Constitution (as amended in March 2022).
Nyong urged the APC national leadership to compel Eba to pay all outstanding stipends and remit funds generated from the sale of forms during the 2023 general elections, as well as other allocations from the national secretariat.
Similarly, the Leader of the Southern Senatorial District, Gerald Esin, criticised Eba’s management of party finances and demanded the immediate payment of all pending stipends to restore trust and prevent further internal crises.
“In the interest of unity and progress, the State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba should be mandated to resign honourably for his anti-progressive actions that have undermined the party,” Esin said.
Also speaking, the Chapter Secretary of Calabar South LGA and Chairman of the Forum of Chapter Secretaries, William Ibok, said party members have lost confidence in Eba’s leadership, citing repeated failures to resolve the matter amicably.
However, responding in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Eba dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
He accused some chapter officials of diverting funds meant for their wards and failing to adhere to a transparent payment structure he introduced.
“When you try to make things work better, people resort to name-calling.
“I’ve paid officials directly to avoid mismanagement, but some chairmen still divert funds meant for their colleagues,” Eba said.
He maintained that his decision to pay officials directly was to ensure accountability and prevent further mismanagement at the grassroots level.
He added that he remained committed to transparency within the party.
