 |
| Emmanuel Mbora, former APC Chairman Calabar Municipality |
Ukorebi Esien – February 15, 2024
CALABAR – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially suspended and debarred the Chapter Chairman of Calabar Municipality, Chief Emmanuel Mbora, citing alleged anti-party criminal activities and threats to the lives of fellow party members as well as misconduct and a breach of party ethics.
According to the letter of suspension signed by 18 out of the 27 ward 4 executive members of the party in Calabar Municipality, the decision to take such actions against Mbora was reached after a thorough investigation into several allegations, including the embezzlement of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,500,000) on election day which Mbora has claimed was with the Nigerian Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but subsequent inquiries revealed the money was never with any of these agencies.
Furthermore, the suspended chapter chairman is accused of duplicating names, including those of his family members, at polling units in Ward 4 to fraudulently receive election funds. Party officials allege that he collected election funds through Point of Sale (POS) transactions.
The suspension also stems from the diversion of ward four’s palliative materials, causing hardship to party members, and the use of hired thugs to intimidate and harm party faithful who do not support his alleged acts of violence and criminality in Ward 4, Calabar.
Pursuant to article 21(1), (ii), (vii), and (ix) of the party’s constitution, Chief Emmanuel Mbora is suspended for a period of eleven (11) months. Additionally, the party invokes his debarment from holding any party office, as per article 21D (d and f) of the party’s constitution.
The Ward Executive Committee stated that this action is taken in good faith to protect the party from further embarrassment and ensure its members can work towards improved performance.
Attached to the statement are the signatories, and copies have been sent to the State Chairman/State Executive Committee of APC, the Governor of Cross River State, the Leader of APC in Calabar Municipality, and the Honourable Member representing Calabar Municipality in the Cross River State House of Assembly.
A chieftain of the party who has pleaded not to be mentioned as he wasn’t authorised to speak to the press concerning the development informed Calabar Parrot that the party’s Executive Committee of Ward 4 in Calabar Municipality where Mbora is a member took the decisive action to address issues within the party. The move is seen as part of the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline and integrity among its members.
He said the suspension of Emmanuel Mbora has been long over due owing to his numerous act of leadership misconduct and misuse of office. The respected party leader added that aside the offenses listed in the suspension letter, Mbora is also guilty of arresting some innocent ward 4 executive, liaising with some compromised officers within the Nigerian Police Force to send them straight to awaiting trial in Afokang Prison. He said it took the quick intervention of some persons in government who got wind of it and came to their rescue.
He also informed that Emmanuel had taken the party to court over a revenue point illegally assigned to him by the immediate past Local Government Chairman, Hon. Nta Eke Effefiong. Our source informed that Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Ironbar had asked he withdrew the case from the court, but he blatantly refused. Which the leadership of the party sees as a total disrespect to governments and the party.
Another allegation against Emmanuel Mbora is the leading of thugs to Ika Ika Oqua Market to molest innocent traders in the name of revenue collection, thereby introducing multiple taxation and increasing hardship on the masses. Most of these monies gotten from these illegal taxes never get to coffers. It is believed that the multiple taxation led to the party losing elections in all polling units within the market vicinity.
Recall that the All Progressives Congress, had earlier this year blacklisted the embattled Emmanuel Mbora after 20 out of 26 Executives Members of the Party in Calabar Municipality passed a “Vote of No Confidence” on him and others for what it described as questionable conduct, thuggery
and a disregard for the party’s constitution.
When contacted by our correspondent Mbora didn’t take nor return his calls as at press time.
This development has sparked discussions within political circles, with party members and the public eagerly awaiting more information on the circumstances leading to the suspension. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the local dynamics of the APC in Cross River State.