The Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, has shed light on the recent removal of Alphonsus Ogar Eba from his position as chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. During his first press briefing in Calabar, Cobham cited allegations of financial impropriety, maladministration, and failure to fulfill obligations to the party's State Working Committee as key reasons for Eba's dismissal.

Eba, who held the chairmanship during the tenure of former Governor Ben Ayade and the initial two years of Governor Bassey Otu's administration, has since switched allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he is now the running mate for the party’s governorship candidate. His transition has been marked by recent criticisms directed at the Otu administration, where he accused the government of awarding contracts to associates and family members, as well as misusing funds meant for violence prevention.

In response to Eba's allegations, Cobham questioned his credibility, referencing previous accusations against Eba during his tenure as Director-General of the state's Due Process Office. Cobham stated that Eba had not adhered to the principles guiding his former office and was involved in transactions that raised concerns over due process.

The Commissioner urged critics of the current administration to engage constructively, suggesting they should participate in debates and educate themselves about the government's policies and performance. Cobham emphasized that if Eba believed his removal was unjust, he had the right to seek legal recourse as a lawyer, stating, "If he thinks he was pushed out of office wrongly, he is a lawyer. He should have gone to court."

As for Eba's recent political shift to the PDP and his new role as deputy governorship candidate, Cobham remarked that it seemed Eba was celebrating his political fortunes too soon. He asserted that the true measure of Eba's claims would be revealed in the upcoming elections, which will ultimately reflect the political landscape in Cross River State.