By Asuquo Cletus
Crisis has deepened within the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as aggrieved members, made up of chapter chairmen and secretaries, barricaded the party’s secretariat in Calabar, calling for the resignation of the State Chairman, Alphonsus Eba.
The protesters accused Eba of mismanaging party funds, withholding allowances, and exhibiting dictatorial tendencies in the administration of the party.
Displaying placards on Wednesday, with inscriptions such as “Okadigbo must go,” “APC deserves a leader, not a ruler,” and “For the interest of the party, resign now,” the protesters blocked all entrances to the secretariat along Murtala Mohammed Highway, denying access to staff and visitors.
The protest, which disrupted activities for several hours, came barely a day after 18 chapter chairmen and 17 secretaries, led by Kelvin Njong, issued a communique demanding Eba’s resignation. They accused him of withholding three months’ stipends meant for chapter executives, diverting funds from the sale of nomination forms, and fostering disunity within the party.
However, in a reaction, sent our correspondent State Chairman Alphonsus Eba dismissed the allegations, describing the protesters as corrupt elements running away from accountability.
“Hahahaha. They are running away from their shadow. They embezzled monies meant for ward executives and some chapter executives running over ₦60 million,” Eba said. “They must come and give account for that.”
Eba explained that the party currently pays 5,778 executives directly into their bank accounts and that all payments were up to date. According to him, only the stipends of 17 chapter chairmen were being withheld pending investigations into alleged financial misconduct.
“Chapter chairmen collect LGA appointees’ dues of more than ₦4 million monthly and squander them without taking care of other executives at the chapter and ward levels. They even collect ₦3.6 million from some quarters and waste it, creating a disproportionate salary structure that exceeds what State Executive Committee members earn,” he stated.
Eba maintained that the actions of the protesting chairmen were against the spirit of transparency and accountability his leadership upholds, adding that no chapter chairman has the authority to demand the resignation of a state party leader.
“On the contrary,” he warned, “the State Executive Committee has the full power to discipline and sanction them, and this will be done immediately.”
As of press time, the party secretariat remained under lock, with security operatives monitoring the tense situation.
