The Cross River State Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled a former State Chairman of the party, Mr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, following what it described as his decision to institute legal action against the party without exhausting internal dispute-resolution mechanisms.
The expulsion was announced on Monday, after a meeting of the APC State Caretaker Committee held at the party’s secretariat in Calabar.
According to a press release issued at the end of the meeting, the committee invoked Article 21.5(v) of the APC Constitution, as amended on March 26, 2022, which provides that any party member who takes legal action against the party or its officers on matters relating to party duties, without first exploring internal remedies, shall automatically stand expelled upon filing such action.
The motion to apply the constitutional provision was moved by the party’s Vice Chairman representing the Central Senatorial District, Dr. Abubakar Efoli, and seconded by the APC Youth Leader for the Northern Senatorial District, Dr. Joseph Idagu Ogar.
The committee further noted that, under the same constitutional provision, no appeal against such expulsion can be entertained unless the affected member withdraws the matter from court.
“Based on this provision, the committee affirmed the expulsion of Mr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba from the All Progressives Congress,” the statement said.
In a related development, the Caretaker Committee also considered a petition from the APC Chapter Chairman in Boki Local Government Area, Chief Engr. Kelvin Njong, JP, concerning the suspension of the party’s State Special Leader, Dr. Juliet Ebuo Diwa.
Dr. Diwa was accused of engaging in acts of gross misconduct at the ward level, including an alleged assault on the Ward Chairman, Mr. James Abang.
After deliberations, the committee upheld her suspension, pending the outcome of investigations and recommendations from the party’s Disciplinary Committee.
The APC Caretaker Committee, chaired by Ntufam Ekum Ekok Ojogu, reiterated its commitment to party discipline, internal democracy, and strict adherence to the provisions of the APC Constitution.
The statement was signed by the Publicity Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee in Cross River State, Hon. Emmanuel Edem Inyang, JP.
