Alleged moves by the All Progressives Congress, APC chairman, Alphonsus Eba, to impose former governor Ben Ayade as the party’s senatorial candidate for Cross River North in 2027 has further deepened discontent within the Cross River State chapter.
Eba’s alleged interest in possibly renewing his candidacy for the chairmanship has reportedly also brewed anger amongst the chapter chairmen who are said to be uncomfortable with his leadership.
This may have also informed why the 18 APC chapter chairmen and secretaries met and issued a communique alleging Eba’s corruption and other misdemeanours few days ago and called for his resignation.
Further to calls for his resignation, yesterday, angry party members blocked access to the state party secretariat in Calabar in protest, accusing the chairman of manipulating party structures to favour Ayade.
Stakeholders expressed concern that the move could destabilize the party, particularly after Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe’s defection from the PDP to the APC, an event many described as a major boost for the ruling party in the northern district, which was dominated by the opposition PDP.
They allege that Eba’s loyalty to Ayade stems from political gratitude, as he had once admitted the former governor gave him a platform to rise in politics — a reason he organised a grand welcome for Ayade on his return to the state last weekend.
Reacting to the development, Dr Joseph Odok, a public affairs analyst and lecturer at the University of Calabar, expressed worry that any attempt to foist Ayade on the party would backfire.
“The attempt to foist former Governor Sir Benedict Ayade as APC’s northern senatorial candidate is a boomerang with catastrophic consequences,” Odok said.
“The state chairman should not be seen as central to any plot to impose personal preferences on the party, as alleged by the chapter chairmen who have moved for his suspension.”
He described Senator Jarigbe’s entry into the APC as a “timely lifeline,” noting that the party in the North was virtually inactive before his defection.
“It is funny and dangerous,” he said, “that instead of embracing Jarigbe’s popularity, some loyal to the chairman appear uncomfortable, which is inimical to the party’s growth.”
Odok further called for urgent internal reforms to strengthen inclusivity, transparency, and accountability within the party.
“The current structure still bears Ayade’s imprint,” he said, urging a realignment that reflects Governor Bassey Otu’s leadership and the interests of newly defected stakeholders with grassroots appeal.
Eba, however, dismissed the allegations and calls for his resignation as politically motivated.
He accused the chapter chairmen of embezzling over ₦60 million meant for ward and chapter executives, insisting they were “running away from their shadows.”
“They must vomit the money they embezzled,” Eba said defiantly.