The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State deepened this week as the state chairman of the party, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, dismissed calls for his resignation and instead accused several chapter officials of embezzling over ₦60 million in party funds.
Eba’s reaction followed a joint communique signed by 35 APC chapter chairmen and secretaries across the state, who accused him of mismanaging party funds and engaging in activities they described as “anti-progressive and destabilising.” The officials also claimed to have lost confidence in his leadership and demanded his immediate resignation.
But in a swift response, Eba described the accusations as false and politically motivated, saying the chapter leaders were “running away from their shadows.”
“They must come and give account for the money that has been diverted,” he said. “The amount in question is over ₦60 million meant for ward and chapter executives across the state.”
Eba explained that under his leadership, the state party now pays all 5,778 APC executives directly into their bank accounts to ensure transparency and prevent middlemen from tampering with funds.
According to him, these payments are up to date, but the party decided to withhold the salaries of 17 chapter chairmen pending investigation into the alleged fraud.
“Those involved must clear themselves before they can receive their payments,” Eba said.
He also accused some chapter chairmen of exploiting their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of other party members. According to him, some of the chapter leaders allegedly collect over ₦4 million every month from local government appointees and another ₦3.6 million from various sources but fail to distribute the money equitably.
Eba said the alleged actions of these officials have created a distorted payment system within the party, where some chapter executives earn more than members of the State Executive Committee.
“This practice is against the spirit of our administration and our commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said.
Reacting further, the APC state chairman dismissed the authority of the chapter leaders to demand his resignation, saying they have no constitutional power to remove him or any member of the state executive committee.
“No chapter chairman has the power to call for the resignation of the state chairman,” Eba insisted. “On the contrary, it is the state executive committee that has the constitutional powers to discipline or sanction them, and this will be done immediately.”
He accused some of the dissenting officials of working with external forces to destabilise the party ahead of future elections. “Some people are uncomfortable with the level of discipline and order we have introduced into the system,” he added. “But we will not allow anyone to drag the APC in Cross River State backward.”
The latest dispute adds to a series of internal disagreements that have plagued the APC in Cross River since Governor Bassey Otu took office in 2023. While the party controls the state government, several factions have reportedly emerged within the APC, with rival groups battling for control of party structures at the local and state levels.
The crisis has been particularly intense in the southern and northern senatorial districts, where local leaders have accused the state leadership of marginalisation and poor consultation in decision-making.
In Cross River, tensions between chapter officials and the state executive reportedly grew worse after the introduction of a new payment system for party executives. While Eba maintains that direct bank transfers have made the process more transparent, some local leaders claim the policy has reduced their influence and cut them off from funds they previously managed.
Meanwhile, some party members have called for reconciliation to prevent the dispute from affecting the APC’s image ahead of future elections.
A senior party official in Calabar, who asked not to be named, said the ongoing crisis could weaken the APC’s ability to govern effectively in the state if not quickly resolved.
“The fighting among leaders is unnecessary,” the official said. “The chairman should focus on uniting the party, and those making allegations should provide evidence instead of going public. What matters now is maintaining unity so that the APC can deliver on its promises to Cross Riverians.”
As the situation unfolds, the APC state secretariat has yet to issue an official statement on whether disciplinary action will be taken against the 35 chapter officials who signed the communique. However, sources close to the party leadership said a fact-finding committee may soon be set up to investigate both the allegations of misappropriation and the claims made against Eba.
For now, the crisis appears far from over. Eba has vowed to maintain firm control of the party and ensure accountability among members, while his opponents insist that he must step aside to allow for what they call “fresh leadership and transparency.”