By Abasi Ita
A major revolt has erupted within the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as chapter chairmen and secretaries have risen against the State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, JP, accusing him of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and steering the party toward collapse ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a scathing communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Calabar read by High Chief Kelvin Nyong during a media briefing, the Forum of APC Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries declared that the State Chairman has lost legitimacy and moral authority to continue in office.
They cited what they called a pattern of “destabilizing, destructive and anti-progressive conduct” that has fractured the party’s structures across the state.
The Forum alleged that for three consecutive months, Eba withheld statutory stipends meant for more than 5,700 ward and chapter officials.
These funds are considered critical for sustaining party operations and welfare at the grassroots. The action, they said, is unprecedented in the history of the party in the state and has left APC offices barely functional across local government areas.
More damaging are allegations of financial imbalance and hoarding of party resources. The communiqué claims that under Eba’s leadership, more than N40 million was allegedly shared among 36 state exco members, while only N9.2 million was released to the 5,778 ward and chapter officials. The Forum described this as a “shameful betrayal of equity and justice.”
The Chairman was also accused of withholding funds meant for Local Government and Ward structures from the 2023 nomination and delegate form sales, as well as other remittances from the national secretariat.
The Forum insists that these funds must be refunded without delay. Beyond financial issues, the chapter leaders accused Eba of inciting division by allegedly pitching ward and chapter officers against their leaders.
According to them ” this has created hostility and undermined the party’s cohesion across the Local Government Areas.”
His leadership style, they added, is rooted in high-handedness, disregard for internal party democracy, and a “transactional approach to leadership.” To save the party from what they described as an impending collapse, the Forum demanded sweeping reforms. They insisted that all withheld stipends be paid immediately.
They also demanded that, going forward, funds meant for Local Government and Ward structures should be deducted at source and sent directly to chapter chairmen to prevent diversion.
The party leaders proposed a new funding formula that allocates 70 percent of party resources to the grassroots and 30 percent to the state exco.
According to them, the structures that deliver electoral victory must not be starved of resources.
The most explosive demand is the call for Eba’s immediate and honourable resignation.
The Forum stated that he has lost their trust, damaged party unity, and is too controversial to lead the APC into the 2027 elections.
They declared that his actions have plunged the party into disunity, rancour and despondency and that for the survival of the APC in Cross River, he must vacate the position.
Despite the crisis, the Forum reaffirmed their loyalty to Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the leader of the party in the state.
They pledged to work for his re-election in 2027 and praised his achievements in infrastructure and human capital development, describing his administration as ushering in a “Season of Sweetness.”
The communiqué has been forwarded to the Governor and his Chief of Staff, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar, in what analysts say is a direct appeal for intervention before the crisis escalates.
In a swift reaction, APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, dismissed the allegations as baseless.
He described the group behind the communiqué as a handful of individuals acting irrationally and seeking undue attention.
Political observers note that this development may be the most serious internal rebellion within the Cross River APC since the party won the state. They warn that unresolved grievances could weaken the party’s structure ahead of the crucial 2027 elections.