Akakan Umoh
The controversy surrounding the purported suspension of Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 9, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has taken a new twist following an aggrieved ward executive member dragging the party and several stakeholders before the High Court.
In a suit marked HOA/12/2026, filed at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Judicial Division, Prophet Edet Ben names the APC and over 20 individuals as defendants/respondents in the escalating dispute.
The case, which came before Justice Nkereuwem M. Obot on a motion ex parte on May 14, 2026, followed allegations by Edet Ben, an Ex-Officio member of APC Ward 9, that his identity was fraudulently used in the controversial suspension process against Eyiboh.
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Ben had earlier disclaimed the purported suspension in a sworn affidavit, insisting that no ward meeting was held on April 22, 2026, to deliberate on disciplinary action against anyone.
He denied participating in or endorsing any proceedings linked to the alleged suspension and accused those behind the exercise of forging his name and signature on an attendance register and related suspension documents circulated to party authorities.
The defendants in the suit include the APC, Johnny Nsoh, Comfort Okon Sunday, Ndifreke Warrie, Hon. Iniedehe Ibok, Sunday Ben and several others from Akpa Utong Group of Villages and Urua Okok Village, Ward 9, Esit Eket LGA.
According to the court document, the plaintiff/applicant was present and represented by counsel, while some defendants were absent, with others appearing through legal representation.
Although the full details of the court’s interim order were not immediately clear from the document obtained by journalists, the development signals a significant escalation of the internal APC dispute from party-level disciplinary controversy to active litigation.
The disputed suspension, reportedly announced by a faction within the ward, accused Eyiboh, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, of anti-party activities.
The action, however, has drawn criticism from party stakeholders and grassroots supporters, who questioned the rationale behind targeting Eyiboh despite his reported mobilisation efforts in support of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno.
A political group, Ward Nine New Era (WNNE), had also rejected the suspension as “malicious, baseless and void,” alleging breaches of due process and selective application of disciplinary measures.
The group queried why Eyiboh was singled out when other prominent Esit Eket stakeholders who attended the same community endorsement meeting were not similarly sanctioned.
The twist is allegedly linked to the Eyiboh’s endorsement for re-election of Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh representing Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Despite Eyiboh’s endorsement, high-profile power brokers ganged up and frustrated Etteh’s re-election bid, but pulled their weight behind Mrs Eunice Thomas, a one-time Commissioner for Education in the state.
