𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗙 𝗜𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥. 𝗔𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗘𝗕𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦

𝕭𝖞: Edward Okoji

Politics in Cross River State has entered a very dangerous phase, and only those who observe closely can truly understand what is going on. Many people think the Vote of No Confidence passed on the APC State Chairman, 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿. 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗢𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗯𝗮, is about “𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.” But the truth is far deeper, more political, and completely planned for 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳.

Today, the real battle is not about money. It is about 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗣𝗖, who controls the delegates, and who determines the future of the party going into the next elections.

And sadly, a man who has worked so hard for the party is being deliberately given a bad name simply because some people want him out of the way.

𝟭. If the accusations against Barr. Eba were genuine, why did the following major stakeholders pass a 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲?

• The Vice Chairmen

• Women Leader

• Youth Leaders

• Forum of 196 Ward Chairmen

• Special Leaders

• Majority of Chapter and Ward Executives

These same people originally submitted complaints against certain chapter chairmen for 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, not against Barr. Eba. After proper investigation, they openly declared support for him.

So what changed?

Reports now show that the “𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳” 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 began calling and inducing these same party leaders to withdraw their confidence vote and support Eba’s removal.

This is not coincidence. It is political engineering.

Only a handful of excos, mostly those deceived into seeing this as “𝗘𝗳𝗶𝗸 𝘃𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝗮𝗺” politics fell for the manipulation.

But even after midnight meetings in Government House, financial inducements, and heavy pressure, strong party leaders like:

• 𝗠𝗿. 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝗲𝗯

• 𝗠𝗿. 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗮

• 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘄𝗮

And 5 others who were absent. But Emma Ateb was deceived to join the Government team with a promise to be made Acting Chairman but they played him and brought one of their own because an Ayade in law should not be trusted.

The remaining two refused to join the injustice. Now, we hear they are being threatened, and plans for their suspension are already in motion.

If this is not political intimidation, what else can it be?

𝟮. Our people say:

“𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙜, 𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚.”

That is exactly what they are doing to Barr. Eba.

They want him gone, so they must create a scandal.

They know that if they come out openly to say they want to control the 2027 delegates, they will face public anger. So they hide behind “𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴,” even when the facts show the opposite.

𝟯. The truth is bitter: Barr. Eba is being punished because he blocked fraud.

He discovered that many chapter chairmen were:

𝟭. not remitting correct stipends to wards and chapters,

𝟮. mismanaging appointee dues,

𝟯. diverting LGA funds,

𝟰. sitting on over ₦𝟲𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 that belonged to other excos,

𝟱. collecting ₦𝟯.𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 “𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴” monthly and sharing among themselves.

To stop this, Eba introduced a transparent system:

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀.

This angered those who had been feeding fat from the old system.

So now, these same people shout that the man who stopped fraud is the one “𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺.”

A classic case of a thief calling a prosecutor a thief.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥?

They insist that stipends must again pass through 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗷𝗼𝗻𝗴, the so-called “timber big boy” being used by the New Sheriff.

Why must Kelvin be the middleman?
Who in Government House benefits when funds pass through Kelvin?
Why is a chapter chairman escorted by police to lock up the state secretariat?

The answers will shock many when the Governor’s promised probe begins.

𝟰. Let nobody deceive you.
The real reason they want Eba removed is 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳.

𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴?
𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴?
𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿. 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗘𝗯𝗮.

As long as Eba remains Chairman:

(√). Ayade’s possible return to Senate remains open.

(√). Their preferred senatorial candidates are at risk.

(√). Their 2027 calculations collapse.

(√). The northern bloc becomes unpredictable.

So, to secure 2027, they must remove Eba now.

It has nothing to do with missing stipends.
It is all about taking over the party.

𝟱. The New Sheriff’s real agenda is to replace the following:

Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong for being too loyal to the Senate President, a man considered to be an enemy of the system.

• 𝗦𝗲𝗻. 𝗘𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 (𝗖𝗥 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹) → replace with Oden Ewa

• 𝗥𝘁. 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗘𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗮 (𝗔𝗯𝗶/𝗬𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗿) → replace with their preferred candidate Moses osogi

• 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴 (𝗜𝗸𝗼𝗺/𝗕𝗼𝗸𝗶) → replace with Barr. Atta Ochinke

Dr Emil Inyang, ( Akamkpa / Biase) remove / replaced

• 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗘𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮 (𝗘𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗴/𝗢𝗯𝘂𝗯𝗿𝗮) → remove and replace

• 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘆 (𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶/𝗔𝗸𝗽𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗼/𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵) → replace with their loyalist

Sen. Owan Enoh and Sen Sandy Onoh to be caged ahead of 2031

To achieve this, they need their own 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝗯𝗮.

𝟲. The Governor’s silence shows three things:

𝟭. Control of 2027 delegates is non-negotiable.

𝟮. They believe Eba cannot be trusted to conduct congresses in their favour.

𝟯. Ayade’s political structure must be weakened at all costs.

But the Governor is also facing heat:

• Complaints from over 90 percent Southern supporters feeling sidelined as government money is confined to the pockets of very few persons.

• Anger over appointments allegedly favouring Akwa Ibomites

• Unhappy blocs in Abi/Yakurr and Boki

Massive wood business by chief of staff using his boy Kelvin Njong

So the political ground is shaking.

𝟳. 𝗘𝗯𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀

Many of their 2027 aspirants are already warming up, both in Senate and House of Reps races.
But one man stands in the way:

𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿. 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗢𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗯𝗮.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘮.
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮.
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

And since he has chosen to keep quiet, political observers say he may be holding powerful evidence which he will release at the right time.

𝟴. Anyone thinking this is just about Eba is making a big mistake.

If he is removed:

* The New Sheriff installs his own chairman.

* That chairman conducts the congresses.

* Delegates become their loyalists.

* 2027 tickets become automatic for their people.

* Existing leaders will be replaced overnight.

Many will regret supporting this injustice.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱

Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba is not the problem.
He is only the 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 stopping a grand plan to seize full control of APC ahead of 2027.

They needed a bad name to give a dog they want to kill.

But those who truly understand Cross River politics can see through the game.

The battle is not about money.
It is about 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹, and 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳.

And history will judge everyone according to their role in this unfolding drama.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗙 𝗜𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥. 𝗔𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗘𝗕𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦

Coup Rocks Benin Republic as Soldiers Attack President Talon’s Residence, Seize State TV

Cotonou, Sunday — Tension engulfed Benin Republic in the early hours of Sunday as heavily armed soldiers launched what appears to be a coordinated coup attempt targeting President Patrice Talon and key state institutions.

According to credible security and diplomatic sources, gunfire erupted around President Talon’s private residence in the Le Guézo district of Cotonou at dawn, forcing residents in nearby streets to flee or take shelter indoors. Troops believed to be part of an elite military unit reportedly stormed the premises in an attempt to arrest the president. His whereabouts remained unknown at press time.

Shortly after the attack, a group of uniformed soldiers took over the national broadcaster, Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Bénin (ORTB). Interrupting regular programming, the soldiers announced the dissolution of the government and declared that President Talon had been removed from power. They introduced themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation”, claiming their intervention was necessary to “restore order” and “protect the nation.”

The broadcast was brief, and no independent verification of the president’s status has yet been possible.

Capital on Edge

Cotonou has been thrown into confusion as military vehicles, armed checkpoints, and troops have been deployed at strategic locations. Businesses remained shut, and movement in parts of the capital was severely restricted. Residents reported hearing sporadic gunfire as loyalist forces were believed to be regrouping.

Diplomatic missions in the city issued emergency advisories, urging their nationals to stay indoors pending clarity on the situation.

Uncertain Political Future

Benin, long regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, has faced rising tensions in recent years. Analysts say Sunday’s events — if confirmed as a full-scale coup — mark the most serious challenge to Talon’s rule since he assumed office.

The attempted putsch comes months after the government announced it had foiled a previous plot involving senior political figures and members of the security establishment.

Regional Leaders Monitoring Situation

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has struggled to manage a wave of coups across Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger, is expected to respond urgently. Diplomatic sources suggest that a high-level emergency meeting may be convened to assess the situation and consider possible sanctions or intervention.

Next Hours Critical

As the sun set over Cotonou on Sunday, uncertainty deepened. The military faction has yet to present President Talon to the public, fueling speculation about whether he is in hiding, in custody, or attempting to regain control.

For now, Benin stands on the edge of a political precipice, with the coming hours likely to determine whether the coup succeeds or sparks a broader confrontation between rival forces.

“We will get it right with security,” Obasa

…As Progressive Governors’ Forum Passes Vote of Confidence on President Tinubu

Despite the pervasive insecurity around the country, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa has affirmed that with the support of all Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would get it right with his concerted reengineering of the nation’s security architecture.

Speaking at the APC Stakeholders and Progressives Governors Forum meeting held Saturday, December 6, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Obasa said he did not doubt that President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC-led federal government, would do all that they can to ensure that they secure the life and property of every Nigerian.

According to Obasa, “We have seen the president in action and how he is innovating and working hard to resolve our many challenges especially insecurity and we believe he will get it done. He’s still the man that can do it. That is why we must do everything within our powers to ensure that he is returned in 2027.”

Speaker Obasa teed off with robust commendations for the governors for their shared dedication and commitment to helping President Tinubu resolve Nigeria’s insecurity problem.

He urged them to galvanise their people when they return to their various states to be a part of the solution to Nigeria’s security challenge, and not stay aloof.

Speaker Obasa added that security is not just about the governors, “It is about everybody. We must all be involved in fighting this problem. We must give the President all the support that we can so that he will succeed in his attempts to redirect the trajectory of Nigeria.”

The PGF had converged on Lagos between December 5 and 6 for a meeting convened by the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, and hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

In a communique read by Governor Uzodinma, the governors passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu’s administration, and pledged support for his Renewed Hope Agenda and re-election in 2027.

The Forum, according to Governor Uzodinma, reviewed the security situation across the country and expressed appreciation for the improved coordination between federal, state, and local security structures, as well as the courage and sacrifices of security agencies and community volunteers. They also resolved to strengthen local security architecture in all the states.

Governor Uzodinma said that their two-day engagement provided an opportunity to review the nation’s current trajectory, deepen coordination among the governors, and reaffirm their firm support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

“The PGF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to stabilizing the economy, strengthening national security, and laying the foundations of sustainable growth through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.