A controversial attempt to suspend Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 9 of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has ignited backlash, with allegations of forgery and threats of legal action deepening divisions within the party.
An ex-officio member of the ward, Prophet Edet Ben, has disowned the purported suspension process, describing it as fraudulent and non-existent in a sworn affidavit submitted before the High Court in Uyo. He maintained that no meeting was held on April 22, 2026, to deliberate on any disciplinary action and denied participating in or endorsing such proceedings.
Ben further alleged that his name and signature were forged and inserted into an attendance list linked to the suspension. He also rejected a “Letter of Suspension” purportedly issued to party authorities at both chapter and state levels.
In a formal notice, the ward official demanded the immediate removal of his name from all related documents, a public retraction, and an end to the unauthorized use of his identity. He warned that failure to comply within 24 hours would result in legal action.
The disputed suspension, reportedly announced by a faction within the ward, accused Eyiboh—Special Adviser to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Media and Publicity—of anti-party activities. However, the move has drawn criticism from stakeholders who argue that Eyiboh had recently mobilised grassroots support for key APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
A grassroots political group, Ward Nine New Era (WNNE), earlier dismissed the suspension as “malicious, baseless, and void,” questioning both the legitimacy of the ward executives and the rationale behind targeting Eyiboh alone.
The group noted that several prominent stakeholders who attended the same community endorsement meeting were not subjected to any disciplinary action. Those listed include former NDDC Managing Director Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, former Speaker Rt. Hon. Bassey Essien, former lawmaker Hon. (Dr.) Usoro Akpan-Uso, and former Commissioner Hon. (Dr.) Ini Adiakpan.
Observers say the controversy reflects internal contradictions within the ward, warning that labeling pro-party mobilisation as anti-party activity undermines credibility and cohesion within the APC.
With claims of forgery, denial of due process, and growing dissent, the attempted suspension is fast evolving from a disciplinary dispute into a potential legal and political crisis for its promoters.
