06/12/2025
Eba Dismisses Allegations as “Tissues of Lies”, Says Chapter Chairmen Lack Constitutional Powers to Remove APC State Chairman
The controversy surrounding the purported impeachment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Cross River State has taken a new turn, as Political Evangelist Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, and the APC Boki Chapter Chairman and Chairman of the Forum of Chapter Chairmen, Mr Kelvin Njong, presented sharply contrasting positions during a live appearance on the Morning Rise political segment on Channels Television on Friday.
Mr Njong, who spoke extensively on the allegations against the embattled state chairman, admitted openly that chapter chairmen lacked the constitutional authority to impeach or remove the state chairman. He stated, “Yes, we as chapter chairmen do not have the constitutional right to impeach or remove him, but we have raised issues against him.”
He went on to accuse the chairman of high-handedness, financial non-remittance, division within the party structure, and alleged disrespect for party organs. According to him, chapter chairmen and ward chairmen had withheld attendance at the party secretariat in Calabar for the past four months due to unresolved grievances.
Mr Njong claimed, “We have not received stipends meant for the local governments and wards. The funds from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 elections have also not been remitted to us. There is high-handedness, instigation, and tension across the chapters and wards. That is why 196 ward chairmen, 18 chapter chairmen and 18 chapter secretaries said we do not want him to continue.”
He further alleged that the chairman had acted unilaterally on financial matters, adding, “Is he supposed to pay stipends directly to ward chairmen without recourse to chapter chairmen? These are the issues. When you ask him, he becomes arrogant and calls us illiterate and poor.”
However, Political Evangelist Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, dismissed the allegations as false, mischievous, and constitutionally defective. Describing the claims as “nothing but a big joke”, he insisted that the so-called impeachment was legally impossible and procedurally flawed.
Eba stated, “I am happy that what my younger brother has said can be kept for record purposes. Because of my respect for the Governor and for our National Chairman, who have both intervened, I will do my best not to wash our dirty linen in public. But this is going to be an interesting matter in the next few days.”
Quoting Scriptures, he added, “I am a child of God. Luke 23:34 teaches us forgiveness. I will allow the proper organs of the party to handle this.”
Eba insisted that the chapter chairmen had no constitutional standing to remove him, adding that even the individual leading the allegations lacks legal capacity to sit as a chapter chairman.
He explained, “The young man before you is a chapter chairman who is also a commissioner in the Forestry Commission. By Article 17.1(iv) of our constitution, he has no legal capacity to hold that office. The relevant organ empowered to investigate allegations against a state chairman is the Zonal Executive Committee, not chapter chairmen.”
On the issue of financial impropriety, Eba maintained that all stipends and entitlements had been paid up to date, “We have paid every ward and chapter executive their stipends from the day I assumed office up to October. I have the bank statements here and these will be laid before the National Secretariat.”
He dismissed claims that he collected ₦60 million monthly as “pure falsehood”, adding that those making the allegations had themselves been accused of withholding funds meant for their own ward and chapter executives.
Eba said, “Their own secretaries told me how they have been short-changing members. Some ward officers have not received stipends of even ₦20,000 for over a year and seven months. These are the real issues.”
Responding to questions of who attempted to suspend or impeach him, Eba explained that only he, as state chairman, had the constitutional power to convene a State Executive Committee meeting.
“I was in Benin working at the Rubber Research Institute when my deputy illegally convened a meeting. I instructed that it be suspended, yet they went ahead. They have no such powers.”
He also noted that the National Legal Adviser of the party had formally invited him to Abuja on Monday to address the allegations, assuring that the party would handle the matter in line with its constitution.
Reaffirming his commitment to the APC and the state government, Eba declared: “There was no APC in government in Cross River State; God used me to make that happen. People cannot rubbish me. My name is too big to be rubbished.”
As tensions continue to simmer, all eyes are now on the APC National Secretariat, where the matter is expected to be formally addressed in the coming days.
