“It’s an Insult to Cross Riverians” — CNPP Blasts Sacked APC Chairman Eba Over Claim He ‘Made’ Governor Otu

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Cross River State chapter, has strongly condemned recent claims by the embattled and sacked former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, that he single-handedly “made” Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu the Governor of Cross River State, News Week Nigeria reports.

 

The CNPP described Eba’s statement as false, reckless and a direct insult to the intelligence and collective will of Cross Riverians who overwhelmingly voted Governor Otu into office during the 2023 governorship election.

 

Eba, who was recently removed as APC state chairman, made the controversial claim during an interview with News Central Television. In the interview, he alleged that Senator Otu had been disqualified on the eve of the party’s governorship primaries and that he, as APC chairman at the time, used his influence and authority to “clear” Otu and ensure his emergence as the party’s candidate and eventual governor.

 

According to Eba, “He was disqualified, but I used my powers as chairman to make sure he was considered. I did everything for him to sit as governor.”

 

The remarks quickly sparked outrage across the state and beyond, prompting a swift and strongly worded response from the CNPP at both the South-South zonal and Cross River State levels.

 

In a statement jointly signed by the Cross River State Chairman of CNPP, Mr. Patrick Ali, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Comrade Castro Ezama, the umbrella body of political parties and pressure groups said it was “astonished” and “deeply disturbed” by what it described as Eba’s “spurious and baseless allegations” against Governor Otu.

 

The CNPP disclosed that it was drawn to a viral video circulating online in which the former APC chairman was heard claiming that Governor Otu was disqualified from contesting the APC primaries and that only his personal intervention made Otu’s candidacy and eventual victory possible.

 

“For the avoidance of doubt,” the statement read, “Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu was not only qualified, he was eminently qualified to contest for the office of Governor of Cross River State.”

 

The group questioned the logic of Eba’s claim, stressing that Governor Otu’s political résumé alone disqualifies any suggestion that he was unfit to run for office.

 

“How can a man who has previously and dutifully served in both chambers of the National Assembly be deemed unqualified to contest as governor?” the CNPP asked.

 

Governor Otu served as a member of the House of Representatives and later as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, experiences which, according to the CNPP, clearly satisfy both constitutional and party requirements for contesting the governorship.

 

The CNPP further reminded Eba that political parties are not the personal property of any individual, no matter their position at a given time.

 

“Perhaps Mr. Eba has since forgotten that the party is not one man’s property,” the statement noted.

 

Describing itself as an amalgam of political parties and pressure groups, the CNPP emphasized that it is well-versed in the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act. Based on these laws, the group insisted that Governor Otu met all statutory and party requirements to contest and win the governorship election.

 

Beyond legal qualifications, the CNPP pointed to Governor Otu’s personal qualities, political antecedents and track record of service as the real reasons behind his electoral success.

 

“His antecedence, enduring legacies and interpersonal relationships with all and sundry won him the admiration and support of the good people of Cross River State,” the statement said, adding that voters demonstrated this support by “enthusiastically going out to vote overwhelmingly for him.”

 

The CNPP described Eba’s claim as a direct affront to the electorate.

 

“It is an insult on Cross Riverians who voted for him to hear evangelist Eba claim that ‘it is the same him that did everything for Senator Otu to sit as Governor,’” the statement declared.

 

The group also challenged Eba’s self-portrayal as a political kingmaker, noting that his own electoral history does not support such claims.

 

“If Mr. Eba had such a sphere of influence at his beck and call, as he claims, he would not have suffered defeat when he contested election in time past,” the CNPP stated pointedly.

 

According to the CNPP, the success of the APC in Cross River State was the result of collective sacrifice and teamwork, not the actions of one individual.

 

“The party was built by a team of party faithful across the state,” the statement said. “Do not take the glory of the sacrificial contributions of other members who make up the state executive, the workaholic local government chapter executives and the resilient ward executives who are indeed the real foot soldiers.”

 

In a particularly scathing section of the statement, the CNPP accused Eba of ingratitude, reminding him that the APC platform was instrumental to his rise in political relevance.

 

“Mr. Eba should be grateful to the party for providing him the platform which attracted fame, wealth, political appointments, endless opportunities and power, which unfortunately, he misused,” the group said.

 

The CNPP concluded by condemning “in strong terms” the allegation that Governor Otu was not qualified to contest the election, urging Cross Riverians to completely disregard what it described as “lies and self-serving narratives.”

 

The group called on Eba to “toe the path of honour” and allow the state to move forward without unnecessary distractions.

 

“Physician, heal thyself,” the statement ended.

 

The statement was signed by Mr. Patrick Ali, Chairman of CNPP, Cross River State chapter, and Comrade Castro Ezama, South-South Zonal Chairman, underscoring the unified stance of the organisation against what it described as an attempt to rewrite political history and undermine the democratic choice of the people of Cross River State.