Court grants interim order in Eyiboh suspension dispute as Exco member alleges forgery

The dispute over the purported suspension of Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh from the All Progressives Congress in Ward 9, Esit Eket Local Government Area, has moved to court, with a ward executive member securing an interim order against the party and other defendants.

Prophet Edet Ben, an Ex-Officio member of APC Ward 9, filed suit HOA/12/2026 at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Judicial Division. The suit names the APC and more than 20 individuals as defendants.

Ben alleges that his identity was used without consent in the suspension process targeting Eyiboh. In a sworn affidavit, he said no ward meeting took place on 22 April 2026 to consider disciplinary action against anyone. He also denied participating in or endorsing any proceedings related to the suspension, and accused those behind the move of forging his name and signature on an attendance register and other documents submitted to party authorities.

The defendants include the APC, Johnny Nsoh, Comfort Okon Sunday, Ndifreke Warrie, Hon. Iniedehe Ibok, Sunday Ben, and others from Akpa Utong Group of Villages and Urua Okok Village in Ward 9.

The matter came before Justice Nkereuwem M. Obot on a motion ex parte on 14 May 2026. The court granted an interim order in the matter. The plaintiff was present and represented by counsel, while some defendants appeared through legal representation and others were absent. The full details of the interim order were not immediately available.

The faction that announced the suspension had accused Eyiboh, who serves as Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, of anti-party activities.

The action has faced pushback from party stakeholders and grassroots supporters. They questioned the decision to target Eyiboh given his reported efforts to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno.

The political group Ward Nine New Era also rejected the suspension, calling it malicious, baseless and void. The group alleged breaches of due process and said disciplinary measures were applied selectively. It asked why Eyiboh was singled out when other prominent Esit Eket stakeholders attended the same community endorsement meeting without facing sanction.