Groups Call For Immediate Resignation of C'River APC Chairman, Eba, Over Party Loss at North C'River By-Elections
By Ndifreke BASSEY
A group, Cross River North All Progressives Congress (APC) Reconciliatory Movement, has demanded the immediate resignation of the state chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, for failure to deliver the party at the just-concluded re-run elections in Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies.
The ruling APC and its candidates had lost to rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the just-concluded re-run elections.
At Obanliku, PDP's Pius Ashakia defeated Hon. Sunday Achuenekan of APC while Dr. Martins Achadu of PDP trashed APC' Mrs Cynthia Nkassi to emerge winner at the polls said to be keenly contested.
This development has irked some APC stakeholders leading to call for Eba's resignation for not delivering the party at the polls.
The group in a press statement issued in Calabar and signed by, Bernard Ingio David, state secretary, Pastor Faustus Oloko Odey and Public Relations Officer, Ms MaryRose Ijomi, the group said it has become very glaring that there is urgent need for Eba to bow out of his position immediately following the poor outing of the party in last Saturday's election.
According to the group, "in normal circumstances, when a person is saddled with a political position, elected or appointed fails to meet basic expectations, the civilised thing to do is to throw in the towel.
"That would give his constituency or those who saddled him with the position the opportunity to get someone more capable to step in and turn the tide around.
"Sticking tenaciously to a position when it is clear to the person that he is incapable or does not have what it takes to deliver on the task saddled on him is grave injustice to those he is responsible to.
"It is on this premise that we, Cross River North APC Reconciliatory Movement have thought it absolutely necessary to demand the immediate resignation of Alphonsus Eba, the State Chairman of APC "Taking this decision would be an honourable path for him since his crass failure which began with his abysmal performance in the 2023 general election where the party, he leads, lost virtually every position contested in the northern district of the state which is his zone.
"This has been replicated in last Saturday's by election where the party ingloriously lost the election in the Obanliku and Yala 11 State constituencies.
"Speaking further, the Chairman of the group, Ingio stated that "There is a Bete proverb which says "the shame of a mad man is felt by his family members.
We, who are passionate and strongly believe in APC feel terribly ashamed of the constant mockery on us by people whom we ordinarily should ride rough shod over given the magnitude of resources ploughed into the elections since 2023 by our party.
"The constant failure of APC in the north is a clear sign of absolute ineptitude and rejection by the people of the person of Eba," the group stated."
Also calling for Eba's resignation, the Northern Cross River APC Legacy Group, led by comrade Agba Agba, said: "Eba has stayed his usefulness.
He has tried to lead the party but it not going on well for him because of his leadership style.
"Let him be honorable and resign within 48 hours.
At this point, it is clear he can longer lead the party after rwe has failed in the north."
