In a significant political development, the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken decisive action to remove its state chairman from office. Alphonsus Eba has been officially impeached by the party's State Executive Committee (SEC).
Reason Behind the Impeachment
The primary reason for Eba's removal was his steadfast refusal to step down from the position of chairman. According to party sources, several quarters within the Cross River APC had repeatedly called for his resignation. Despite these mounting pressures and appeals from within the party's ranks, Eba chose not to vacate the office, leading the SEC to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
New Leadership Takes Charge
Following the impeachment, the party swiftly moved to fill the leadership vacuum. The APC announced Ntufam Ekum Ojogu as the new acting chairman for the state chapter. This appointment was made public on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Ojogu is now entrusted with overseeing all affairs of the ruling party in Cross River State. His tenure as acting chairman is expected to last until a state congress is convened by the party. It is at this congress that his position will be formally ratified or a new chairman will be elected.
Constitutional Backing for the Action
The party has clarified that this major decision is firmly rooted in its constitution. The move to appoint an acting chairman aligns with Section 17(6) of the APC constitution. This section explicitly empowers the State Executive Committee to appoint an acting chairman in the event that the duly elected chairman is removed from office for any reason.
This development marks a pivotal moment for the APC in Cross River State, potentially reshaping the party's internal dynamics and strategy ahead of future political engagements. The focus now shifts to how the new acting leadership will steer the party and manage its affairs during this transitional period.
