The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State is currently grappling with an escalating internal crisis, prompting intervention from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to restore order and ensure adherence to due process.
The move follows a formal summons issued by the APC National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, who directed State Chairman Alphonsus Eba to appear before the party’s national leadership to respond to allegations raised by members of the State Executive Committee (SEC). The SEC had previously passed a vote of no confidence on Eba and declared his removal from office, subsequently appointing Ntufam Ekum Ojogu as acting chairman at the party’s Calabar secretariat.
In a letter dated December 4, 2025, and made available to journalists in Calabar, Kankia instructed Eba to report to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 4 p.m. The letter stated:
“You are hereby formally notified of a meeting scheduled to address the vote of no confidence passed against you by members of the Cross River State Executive Committee. This session will provide an opportunity to clarify the circumstances surrounding the vote and ensure your response is officially documented, in line with due process.”
Reports indicate that some SEC members were informed that the party “no longer wanted Eba to remain in office.” However, Eba dismissed these claims, describing them as unconstitutional and a “joke taken too far.”
Tensions had been building over recent months. Last month, Eba resisted calls for his resignation from the Forum of Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries, who accused him of high-handedness, diversion of funds, and failure to pay stipends. In response, Eba alleged financial impropriety by certain officials, claiming irregularities involving over N60 million. He explained that the party had implemented a direct payment system for all 5,778 executives across the state to prevent fund mismanagement.
Eba further asserted that chapter chairmen have no constitutional authority to demand his resignation. Citing Article 21.3 (vi) (d) of the APC Constitution, he emphasized that only the South South Zonal Executive Committee possesses disciplinary oversight over a state chairman. He accused his opponents of running a politically motivated campaign against him, stating, “They are running away from their shadows.”
Despite the ongoing controversy, Eba continues to hold influential positions within the party. He was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the February 2025 National Executive Committee meeting to serve on the Constitution Review Committee. He also functions as the National Secretary of the Forum of APC State Chairmen and represents the South South geopolitical zone in the committee.
Reacting to the latest developments, Eba reaffirmed his stance, asserting that the efforts to remove him “will not stand” and reiterating, “The process is a joke taken too far. God will speak at the appropriate time.”
With the NWC now actively involved, party stakeholders remain hopeful that the intervention will pave the way for reconciliation. The national leadership is reportedly working to defuse tensions and unify the Cross River chapter ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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