The controversy surrounding the purported suspension of Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has escalated into a legal battle following allegations of forgery and procedural irregularities.
An executive member of APC Ward 9 in Esit Eket Local Government Area, Prophet Edet Ben, has dragged the party and several individuals before the High Court of Akwa Ibom State over the disputed suspension.
The suit, marked HOA/12/2026 and filed at the Oruk Anam Judicial Division of the High Court, lists the APC and more than 20 individuals as defendants in the matter.
The case came before Justice Nkereuwem M. Obot on May 14, 2026, through a motion ex parte filed by the plaintiff.
Edet Ben, who serves as an Ex-Officio member of APC Ward 9, alleged that his identity was fraudulently used during the process that led to the purported suspension of Eyiboh.
In a sworn affidavit submitted before the court, Ben denied participating in any ward meeting held on April 22, 2026, where disciplinary measures against Eyiboh were allegedly discussed.
He maintained that no valid meeting took place on the said date and insisted that he neither attended nor endorsed any proceedings connected to the suspension.
The plaintiff further accused those behind the exercise of forging his name and signature on attendance records and other documents reportedly forwarded to party authorities in support of the disciplinary action.
Among those named as defendants are Johnny Nsoh, Comfort Okon Sunday, Ndifreke Warrie, Hon. Iniedehe Ibok, Sunday Ben and several others linked to communities within Ward 9, Esit Eket Local Government Area.
Court documents indicated that the plaintiff appeared in court through his counsel, while some defendants were absent and others were represented by legal practitioners.
Although details of the interim court order were not fully disclosed in documents available to journalists, the matter is now regarded as a major escalation of the internal crisis within the APC ward structure.
The controversial suspension had accused Eyiboh, who currently serves as Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, of engaging in anti-party activities.
However, the disciplinary action has continued to generate reactions from party supporters and stakeholders, many of whom questioned the justification for targeting Eyiboh despite his reported mobilisation efforts in support of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
A political support group known as Ward Nine New Era (WNNE) had earlier dismissed the suspension as “malicious, baseless and void.”
The group alleged that due process was not followed and accused those behind the action of applying disciplinary measures selectively.
According to the group, several prominent stakeholders from Esit Eket attended the same community endorsement meeting cited against Eyiboh, yet no disciplinary action was taken against them.
The unfolding court case is expected to further intensify political tensions within the APC in Akwa Ibom State as party members await judicial clarification on the legality of the suspension process.
