I am not high handed, says C’River APC chairman

Mr Alphonsus Eba, the Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River, has dismissed allegations of high-handedness leveled against him by some stakeholders in the party.

Eba said in an interview with newsmen on wednesday in Calabar that the allegations were laughable, untrue and baseless.

It would be recalled that local government chairmen and secretaries of the party recently called for the chairman’s resignation over alleged high handedness and lack of trust.

The stakeholders also accused the chairman of diversion of funds and anti-progressive behaviours that could be harmful to the unity and progress of the party.

Eba said that those calling for his resignation were ‘running away from their shadows’ after embezzling funds meant for ward and chapter executives.

The chairman said that under his leadership, wards and local party officials received payments directly into their accounts.

“The essence is to ensure transparency, and to block any loophole for possible financial leakages within the party structure.

“The salaries of some chapter chairmen were withheld pending their explanation of alleged involvement in diversion of party funds,” he said.

Eba further said that the chapter leaders had grossly violated the principles of transparency and accountability upon which the party was built.

“I am bent on restoring sanity, probity, trust and order within the party, I can’t settle for less.

“No chapter chairman has the constitutional power to demand the removal of a state chairman or any executive member,” he said.