The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled the former chairman, Alphonsus Eba, for dragging the party before the court over his removal.
It stated that the decision to expel Eba, who was elected as the party’s chairman for his contribution to the APC’s achievements, was taken after evidence proved that his action contravened sections of the party’s constitution.
The decision to expel Eba was taken on Monday during a meeting of the APC State Caretaker Committee held at the party secretariat in Calabar, the Cross River State capital
In a statement issued after the meeting and signed by the Publicity Secretary of the APC State Caretaker Committee, Emmanuel Inyang, the committee said the expulsion was in line with Article 21.5(v) of the APC Constitution, as amended on March 26, 2022.
According to the statement, the constitutional provision stipulates that any member who institutes legal action against the party or its officers on matters relating to the discharge of party duties, without first exhausting the internal mechanisms for redress, automatically stands expelled upon the filing of such action.
The committee said a motion invoking the provision was moved by the party’s Vice Chairman for the Central Senatorial District, Dr Abubakar Efoli, and seconded by the Youth Leader (North), Dr Joseph Ogar, before it was adopted.
“The committee affirmed the expulsion of Mr Alphonsus Ogar Eba in line with the provisions of the APC constitution,” the statement said, adding that no appeal against the decision would be entertained unless the court action is withdrawn.
In a related development, the caretaker committee also upheld the suspension of the party’s State Special Leader, Dr Juliet Diwa, over alleged misconduct at the ward level.
The committee said the suspension followed a petition from the APC Chairman in Boki Local Government Area, Kelvin Njong, alleging that Diwa assaulted the ward chairman, James Abang.
It said Diwa’s suspension would remain pending the outcome and recommendations of the party’s disciplinary committee.
The ruling party said it remained committed to discipline, internal democracy and strict adherence to the provisions of its constitution.
