Alphonsus Eba Finally Pushed Aside as APC National Leadership Confirms Ekok-Ojogu as Authentic Cross River State Chairman

The long-running leadership tussle within the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have been decisively settled, following the confirmation of Ntufam Ekum Ekok-Ojogu as the authentic chairman of the party in the state by the national leadership of the ruling party.

 

The development effectively shuts the door on any immediate possibility of Barrister Alphonsus Eba reclaiming the position he once occupied, despite months of intense political maneuvering, court actions, and internal lobbying.

 

The confirmation became evident through an official letter of invitation issued by the APC National Secretariat, inviting the acting chairman of the Cross River State chapter to attend the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to hold on December 18 and 19, 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The letter, which has since circulated widely among party stakeholders and political observers, was signed by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Basiru Ajibola, Ph.D., lending it the full weight of national authority.

 

For many within the party, the invitation letter was more than a routine administrative correspondence; it was a clear signal from the APC national leadership that the issue of who leads the party in Cross River State has been resolved in favour of Ekok-Ojogu. By officially recognizing him as the acting—and by implication, legitimate—state chairman, the national secretariat appears to have drawn a firm line under the protracted crisis that has deeply divided the party in the state.

 

A Prolonged Leadership Crisis

 

The leadership crisis within the Cross River APC has been one of the most contentious in recent years, characterized by factional battles, parallel congresses, court cases, and allegations and counter-allegations among party chieftains. Barrister Alphonsus Eba, who previously held the position of state chairman, has for months been locked in a struggle with rival factions over the legitimacy of his tenure and the process through which party leadership emerged.

 

Supporters of Eba had consistently argued that he was unjustly removed and that legal and procedural steps favoured his reinstatement. On the other hand, the faction backing Ekok-Ojogu maintained that due process within the party structure had been followed, and that the emergence of a new leadership was necessary to stabilize the party and reposition it for future electoral contests.

 

This internal discord has not only weakened the APC’s cohesion in Cross River State but has also affected its public image, particularly at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate its influence and rebuild grassroots structures ahead of upcoming political cycles.

 

National Endorsement Tips the Scale

 

In Nigerian party politics, recognition by the national secretariat often carries more weight than local factional claims, and the latest development appears to underscore that reality. By addressing Ekok-Ojogu as the acting state chairman in an official communication and inviting him to participate in a high-level NEC meeting, the APC national leadership has effectively conferred legitimacy on his leadership.

 

Party insiders say such invitations are not issued lightly, especially for meetings of the NEC, which is one of the highest decision-making organs of the party. Attendance at such meetings is typically restricted to duly recognized party officials, including national officers, governors, and state chairmen whose positions are acknowledged by the national leadership.

 

“This is a strong political statement,” a senior APC source familiar with the situation told reporters. “Once the national secretariat recognizes you in black and white and invites you to NEC, it means the matter is settled at that level. Any other claims become difficult to sustain.”

 

Implications for Alphonsus Eba

 

For Barrister Alphonsus Eba, the confirmation of Ekok-Ojogu as the authentic chairman represents a major setback. Despite efforts by his supporters to push for his recall, the latest signal from Abuja suggests that such hopes are rapidly fading. Observers within the party say it is now highly unlikely that Eba will be reinstated, at least under the current leadership arrangement.

 

There have also been murmurs within party circles regarding the management of party resources during the period of dispute. Some party members allege that Eba had access to, and control over, the APC’s state accounts, a situation they argue further complicated reconciliation efforts. While these claims remain a subject of internal debate and have not been conclusively resolved in the public domain, they have added another layer of controversy to an already tense situation.

 

Reactions Within Cross River APC

 

Reactions to the development have been mixed across Cross River State. Supporters of Ekok-Ojogu have welcomed the decision, describing it as a necessary step toward restoring stability and unity within the party. They argue that prolonged infighting has cost the APC valuable time and political capital, and that the confirmation of a recognized leadership will allow the party to refocus on strengthening its structures and reconnecting with the electorate.

 

“This is the clarity we have been waiting for,” said a party chieftain from the southern senatorial district. “Now we can move forward as one family and prepare for future challenges instead of fighting ourselves.”

 

Conversely, loyalists of Eba have expressed disappointment, insisting that justice has not been fully served. Some have hinted at the possibility of further legal action or political engagement to press their claims, although analysts believe such moves may have limited impact given the clear stance of the national leadership.

 

What Lies Ahead

 

With Ekok-Ojogu now firmly recognized by the APC national leadership, attention is expected to shift toward reconciliation and party rebuilding in Cross River State. Political analysts note that while national endorsement settles the leadership question on paper, genuine unity will require deliberate efforts to bring aggrieved factions back into the fold.

 

The coming weeks will likely test Ekok-Ojogu’s ability to manage internal dissent and foster inclusiveness. His participation in the upcoming NEC meeting in Abuja is also expected to provide him with an opportunity to engage directly with national leaders, articulate the challenges facing the party in Cross River, and seek support for rebuilding efforts.

 

For the APC as a whole, the resolution of the Cross River leadership dispute is significant. As Nigeria’s ruling party, internal stability across states is critical to maintaining political dominance and delivering on governance promises. The national leadership’s decisive action in this case may serve as a signal to other troubled state chapters that prolonged factionalism will not be tolerated.

 

In the end, the confirmation of Ntufam Ekum Ekok-Ojogu as the authentic chairman marks a turning point in the Cross River APC saga. Whether it ushers in lasting peace or merely a pause in the conflict will depend on how the party’s leaders—both at the state and national levels—manage the aftermath of a dispute that has left deep political scars.