The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River State Chapter, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, JP, has reacted to the communiqué issued by the Forum of APC Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries calling for his resignation, describing their claims as false, misleading, and diversionary.
In a firm response, Barr. Eba stated that the forum’s allegations of financial mismanagement and neglect are baseless, emphasizing that his leadership has maintained a transparent and accountable system in the management of party funds.
According to him, the same individuals behind the communiqué are those who embezzled monies meant for ward and chapter executives, totaling over ₦60 million, and must account for these funds.
“We now pay all party executives — numbering 5,778 — their stipends directly into their personal accounts, and all payments are up to date,” Barr. Eba stated. “However, the stipends for the 17 chapter chairmen are currently being withheld pending investigations into the fraud allegations against them.”
The Chairman further explained that the chapter chairmen have been collecting and mismanaging Local Government Appointees’ dues of over ₦4 million monthly, without properly catering to other executive members at the chapter and ward levels.
“They also collect about ₦3.6 million from certain quarters and squander it, creating an unfair and disproportionate salary structure that exceeds what State Executive Committee members earn,” he added. “This is completely against the spirit of transparency, fairness, and accountability which our administration stands for.”
Barr. Eba reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness and the welfare of all party members, noting that the decision to pay party executives directly was part of the reforms introduced to ensure equitable distribution and eliminate financial leakages at all levels.
“Let it be made clear,” he emphasized, “that no chapter chairman has the authority to call for the resignation of the State Chairman or any member of the State Executive Committee. On the contrary, the State Executive Committee has full powers under the APC Constitution to discipline and sanction erring officials — and this will be done immediately.”
The APC State Chairman reiterated his loyalty to the leader of the party in Cross River State, His Excellency, Apostle Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, and pledged continued support for the Governor’s People First agenda, which is transforming the state through peace, love, unity, and growth.
“Our focus remains to strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections through unity, discipline, and accountability,” Barr. Eba concluded. “We will not allow internal saboteurs to distract us from our mission to deliver good governance and prosperity under the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu.”
