By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Calabar
Tension escalated within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State on Thursday as the State Working Committee (SWC) and chapter executives jointly removed the party chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, over allegations of financial mismanagement and divisive leadership.
The announcement was made after an emergency meeting at the APC state secretariat in Calabar, where senior party officials said the decision became unavoidable following months of internal grievances.
Eba, who took office in October 2021 during the administration of former governor Ben Ayade, was accused of operating the party with what stakeholders described as an “unaccountable and authoritarian style.”
In a communiqué endorsed by SWC members and chapter leaders, the officials alleged that Eba failed to remit funds meant for party administration and routinely withheld stipends designated for ward and chapter executives.
The group further alleged misappropriation of resources, high-handedness in decision-making, and actions that undermined organisational harmony across the party structure.
The Forum of APC Chapter Chairmen, which had previously demanded Eba’s removal, said the prolonged non-payment of grassroots officials had crippled party mobilisation and eroded members’ confidence in the state leadership.
According to the forum, several ward officers had not received their stipends for over three months, a situation they said was unprecedented in the party’s history in Cross River State.
The impeachment motion was moved by the State Welfare Secretary, Okara Ekawu, and seconded by the State Treasurer, Dr. Matthew Egom, who both maintained that the committee had conducted a detailed investigation before taking action.
Eba was immediately directed to hand over party documents, assets, and full control of the secretariat to the acting chairman pending directives from the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Forum of Chapter Chairmen and Boki LGA Chairman, Kelvin Nyong, accused Eba of sowing discord among party officials by pitting ward and chapter executives against their leaders, contrary to Sections 21:2 (ii & v) of the APC Constitution.
Thursday’s decision follows earlier calls for his removal by prominent party figures, including Chief Peter Higgins and former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, who had raised similar concerns nearly two years ago.
The crisis also comes weeks after Eba hosted a grand reception for former governor Ben Ayade at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, where he publicly reaffirmed loyalty to Ayade, whom he described as the man who “made him who he is.”