Senior political figures from Nigeria’s Cross River State have publicly criticised comments made by a former state chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his recent remarks on internal party matters as inappropriate and unrepresentative of the area he once led.
In a statement released on Tuesday, members of the Cross River State Elders Advisory Council from the Northern Senatorial District said they were distancing themselves from comments attributed to Alphonsus Eba, a former chairman of the APC in the state. The elders said his public intervention had caused embarrassment to party leaders and the wider political community.
The statement was issued under the banner of the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSECF) and was signed by seven senior figures from the district. It said the comments were made without consultation and concerned internal party issues that could have been handled through established mechanisms.
“The Council dissociates itself from his comments on an internal APC matter that ought to have been resolved privately,” the statement said. “At no point did he consult with the leadership of the Council before making these public remarks.”
The elders said the comments risked portraying the Northern Senatorial District in a negative light and stressed that they should not be seen as reflecting the views or values of the district’s political leadership. They described the district as peace-oriented and committed to internal dialogue and collective decision-making.
In addition to criticising the former party chairman, the elders used the statement to reaffirm their support for the administration of Bassey Edet Otu, the governor of Cross River State. They pledged what they described as their “total commitment and loyalty” to his government and its policy direction.
The council also appealed to the governor and to senior figures within the All Progressives Congress at both state and national levels not to draw conclusions about the Northern Senatorial District based on the conduct of a single individual.
According to the statement, public office holders have a responsibility to act as stewards of public trust, including consulting widely with stakeholders and resolving disputes through democratic and internal processes. The elders said these principles were particularly important at a time when political unity and stability were needed within the ruling party.
The statement also addressed ongoing discussions about the leadership structure of the APC in Cross River State. The elders argued that the position of state party chairman should remain within the Northern Senatorial District, saying the area has several individuals with the experience and temperament required to lead.
“We respectfully request that the position of State Chairman of the APC be retained in the Northern Senatorial District,” the statement said, adding that the district is home to “credible, sincere and respectful individuals” capable of unifying the party.
While the elders did not specify the comments that triggered their response, political observers say the statement reflects broader sensitivities within the APC in Cross River State, where internal disagreements have occasionally played out in the public arena.
The statement was signed by senior members of the Consultative Forum, including Prof John Shiyam, vice-chairman (North) of the CRSECF; Dr Julius Okputu, secretary of the forum; and several members of the Elders Advisory Council. Also listed among the signatories was Hon Chief Boniface Okache, deputy chief of staff to the governor.
The elders said they would continue to support efforts aimed at maintaining party cohesion and ensuring that political disagreements are managed through consultation rather than public confrontation.
