C'River: APC Chairmanship Tussle: Reprieve For Embattled Eba As SWC Passes Vote Of Confidence
By Victor UDU
Reprieve seem to be underway for the embattled State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC in Cross River state, Barr. Alphonsus Eba following a vote of confidence unanimously endorsed by the State Working Committee (SWC) in his favour.
The vote of confidence emanated from a unanimous voice vote following a motion moved by the State Assistant Secretary, Dr. Matthew Egon, and seconded by the Welfare Secretary, Hon. Okara Ekawu during an emergency SWC meeting held at the party secretariat to review recent upheavals rocking the ruling party.
Addressing journalists at the end of proceedings, the Acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Emmanuel Inyang said: "Committee attributed their stand to their firm belief in the capacity of Barr. Eba to steer the party to greater heights.
The Committee described the mounting allegations against Eba as "unfounded, false, and unsubstantiated."
According to the SWC: "As a party we are united, we are formidable and confident and we are vehemently behind him."
The vote of confidence is coming on the heels of the purported suspension instigated by growing call for resignation from a group which calls itself the APC Stakeholders Forum.
The Forum had earlier in a petition accused Eba of breaching articles 12.10, 12.12, 12.15,14.1(111), 15.2(1) of the APC constitution by failing to constitute certain organs of the party and of being high-handed and treating other party members as inferior.
Earlier while reacting to the allegations in a media parley, Barr. Eba said the aggrieved party members behind his travails were seeking attention and attributed their actions to" the harsh economic realities of the moment, stressing that "we know that what may have actuated their actions perhaps is hunger."
He assured them that "by the special grace of God this party is working with the governor and in the next few days or weeks" am sure we'll start rolling out appointments and maybe people like that will get something that will put food on their table and their sense of reasoning will get some level of decency".
Eba said the fact-finding reports of the party had indicted many members for alleged anti-party activities in 2023 which was however over looked and that the recurrence of such misdemeanors particularly in Obanliku and Yala 11 constituency in the recent re-run awoken the consciousness of the party.
He said consequently on "February 9, the State Executive Committee, to ensure sanity in this party after receiving complaints from some members set up a disciplinary committee in compliance with article 21. i, ii, iii of the party's constitution".
He noted that it was regrettable that people have gone ahead to pass judgment on themselves even when the party has not done so but pointed out that "We are guided by the provision of the constitution to do what is just, right, fair and for overall best interest.
The Chairman noted that "the position of the party to bring peace, love, unity, and growth is the foundation which our administration has upheld" and observed that nothing else would have been a threat to the peace, love, and unity than injustice, impunity, misconduct, and anti-party activities.
He opined that the party was in receipt of three additional names of persons accused of anti-party and will stop at nothing to discipline erring members.
The APC chieftain expressed satisfaction with the numbers trooping into APC from other parties saying that it's a welcome development and proof that indeed the party had diligently delivered on its constitutional duties.
