The controversy surrounding the alleged suspension of Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh from the All Progressives Congress in Ward 9, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has taken a legal turn, following a suit filed before the High Court of Akwa Ibom State.
The suit, marked HOA/12/2026 and filed at the Oruk Anam Judicial Division, was instituted by Prophet Edet Ben, an Ex-Officio member of APC Ward 9, against the APC and more than 20 others over the disputed suspension process.
The matter came before Justice Nkereuwem M. Obot on May 14, 2026, following allegations by the plaintiff that his identity was fraudulently used in documents linked to Eyiboh’s purported suspension.
In a sworn affidavit, Ben denied participating in any ward meeting held on April 22, 2026, to deliberate on disciplinary action against Eyiboh. He also denied endorsing any suspension proceedings and alleged that his name and signature were forged on attendance records and related documents circulated to party authorities.
Among those joined in the suit are Johnny Nsoh, Comfort Okon Sunday, Ndifreke Warrie, Hon. Iniedehe Ibok, Sunday Ben and several others from Ward 9, Esit Eket LGA.
Court records showed that the plaintiff was represented by counsel, while some defendants appeared through legal representatives.
Although the full details of the court’s interim order were not immediately clear from the document our reporter obtained, but the development appears like an 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 why Eyiboh was targeted despite his reported mobilisation efforts in support of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno.
The development has further deepened internal divisions within the APC in Esit Eket, as supporters and stakeholders continue to contest the legitimacy of the suspension process.
