Cross River PDP Stakeholder, Austin Ibok.
By Anietie Akpan
A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Stakeholder and Coalition Hopeful in Cross River State, Mr. Austine Ibok has advised the embattled State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Barr. Alphonsus Eba not to resign.
Rather, he said if the APC should force him to resign, he should go to court noting that the plot on ground is to force him out and frustrate former Governor Ben Ayade’s second coming to the senate.
For the past few weeks the APC State Chairman has been having a running battle with the Chapter Chairmen and others who have asked him to resign amid allegations of financial irregularities.
All the 18 Chairmen and others even staged a protest at the APC secretariat along Murtala Mohammed Highway and locked up the party office even though Eba has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was not resigning.
Reacting to the feud, Ibok who was a former aide to the immediate past governor, Senator Ayade, said “he (Eba) should not resign. If they force him out, he should take the matter to court.
“His supporters, and supporters of former Governor Ayade, should be ready to challenge any attempt to remove him unfairly. It is clear he is being targeted simply because of his connection to Ayade”.
He said, “from my small experience in government and party politics, I knew there would be a problem the moment I saw the APC State Chairman leading the big welcome rally for former Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar.
“Some people say he got approval from Governor Bassey Otu. But honestly, what could the Governor have said? Could he really tell the former Governor that the rally should not hold? Even if Governor Otu had no issue with it, many of his supporters and other powerful political figures outside Cross River State would not be happy”.
Ibok brought in another twist to the Eba’s removal saga saying, “the push to remove the State Chairman may even be coming from the APC national level. Politics is full of hidden plans. Some people may want to weaken Ayade’s support base.
“With Senator Akpabio planning to return to the Senate and likely aiming for Senate President again, he may not want someone like Ayade becoming strong in the Senate race. This is why I believe that some of the stories and accusations flying around may be part of a bigger power game, and the state government may not even be directly involved.
“I have learned something important from party leadership: When people want to remove a party chairman, they often use financial accusations. That is the easiest method.
“So any chairman who wants to remain safe should make the party’s money very clear,, monthly reports, open records of all income and expenses, and audits that involve leaders from all 18 LGAs and 196 wards. A chairman has many ways to gain benefits without touching party funds, so transparency is the best protection”.
Looking at everything happening now, he maintained that, “the current accusations seem like a setup to justify removing the state chairman. Remember too that party congresses are coming soon, and different groups will be fighting for control.
“As an opposition party (PDP), we usually enjoy seeing APC in confusion, it helps us. But beyond that, I want to publicly show support for the APC State Chairman. He should not resign”.
