Former presidential aide Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has advised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State to adhere to established procedures and the party constitution if they intend to suspend or remove Barrister Alphonsus Eba as the party chairman in the state.
Over the past month, there have been efforts by some party members and groups calling for Eba’s suspension or dismissal. They have accused him of being high-handed, arrogant, dictatorial, and failing to account for electoral funds exceeding N200 million. They claim that he led the party to a comprehensive defeat in the recent general and rerun elections in the Cross River northern district, his home region.
On February 21, 2024, a purported Stakeholders Forum issued a letter signed by Chief Mark Ayo (Secretary) and Chief Mathias Ake (Chairman), announcing the suspension of the State Chairman and appointing an acting state chairman.
In a statement, Obono-Obla cautioned that the party should not be governed like a Mafia organization, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the principles of established procedures rather than relying on the notion of ‘Might is Law.’
“I do not think this is the best way to conduct the affairs of a governing party.
“It is clear that the procedure used by the purported stakeholders to attempt to remove the incumbent State Chairman was mired in irregularities, wrongful, and a clear breach of the Party Constitution.
“Most importantly, there was no consultation with relevant leaders of the party at the State, Senatorial District, Local Government Areas, and Wards levels across the length and breadth of the State.
“This is not fair and undemocratic by any stretch of the imagination.
“The APC Constitution (2013) (as amended) provides that the tenure of every elected member of the National, State, Local Government Area, and Ward executives is four years from the date of their election.
At the four anniversaries of their election, the elected executives have to bow out because of the principle of constitutional effluxion of time,” he said.
Obono-Obla, who is a lawyer, said according to Article 17 (v) of the constitution, such moves must be ratified by the National Convention or Congress before an officer is relieved of his post at any time, especially if a vote of no confidence was passed on him by two-thirds of members of the relevant Party Organ.
“The State Executive Committee of the Party by 2/3 majority has not passed a vote of no confidence on the Incumbent State Chairman, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, at any time,” he said.
He said Article 21 of the party constitution gives power to discipline party members even then the power shall be exercised by the respective Executive Committee of the Party.
He noted that the party Chairman was never subjected to any disciplinary proceeding to afford him the right of a fair hearing, emphasizing that since APC is a democratic party, its business must be democratically conducted at all times.
