Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, has dismissed calls by 35 chapter chairmen and secretaries demanding his resignation over alleged misappropriation of party funds.
The chapter chairmen, in their communique, had said they have lost confidence in the APC state chairman as a result of his alleged destabilising as well as anti-progressive actions in leading the party.
But Eba said, “They are running away from their shadows,” accusing the officials of embezzling over N60 million meant for ward and chapter executives.
“They must come and give account for that,” Eba vowed.
He explained that the party now pays all 5,778 executives directly into their bank accounts and that payments are up to date.
“However, the salaries of 17 chapter chairmen are being withheld until they clear themselves of the alleged fraud,” he added.
Eba further alleged that some chapter chairmen collect over N4 million monthly from local government appointees and N3.6 million from other sources but fail to distribute the funds equitably, creating a disproportionate salary structure exceeding what State Executive Committee members earn.
“This practice is against the spirit of our administration and our commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said.
He stressed that no chapter chairman has the constitutional power to demand the resignation of the state chairman or any member of the state executive committee. “On the contrary, the state executive committee has full powers to discipline and sanction them, and this will be done immediately,” Eba added.
