A group of elders from the Northern Senatorial District in Cross River State has dissociated themselves from recent comments made by Alphonsus Eba, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The elders, under the umbrella of the Cross River State Consultative Forum, described Eba’s remarks as personal views that do not reflect the position of the district. They reiterated their support for the state governor, Bassey Edet Otu, and his administration.
In a statement signed by seven elders, the forum expressed concern that Eba’s comments on internal party matters were made without consultation with relevant stakeholders. The council stated that it was not aware of the comments before their publication and would have preferred that such issues be addressed through internal party mechanisms. The elders emphasized the importance of consultation, dialogue, and collective decision-making in political affairs.
The statement appealed to Governor Otu and APC leaders at the state and national levels not to assess the leadership capacity of the Northern Senatorial District based on the actions or statements of one individual. The forum also urged the party to retain the position of APC State Chairman in the Northern Senatorial District, citing the presence of qualified and credible individuals capable of providing effective leadership.
The elders reaffirmed their loyalty to the Otu administration and pledged continued support for policies and programs aimed at the development of Cross River State. The statement was signed by prominent elders, including Prof. John Shiyam, Vice Chairman (North) of the CRSECF, and Hon. Chief Boniface Okache, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor.
This development comes two weeks after the National Working Committee of the APC summoned Eba, following his removal from office by the State Executive Committee. Eba was removed over allegations of financial recklessness, with 30 out of 32 SEC members passing a vote of no confidence in him. The APC National Legal Adviser, Murtala Kankia, directed Eba to appear before the national leadership to address the issues. The situation highlights the ongoing internal dynamics within the APC in Cross River State, with the elders’ statement aiming to clarify their position and reinforce their support for the current administration.