A political storm is brewing in Cross River State as the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) has launched a blistering defence of Governor Bassey Otu, accusing former APC chairman Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba of hypocrisy after he criticised the same governor he once called the “Sweetest Prince.” The Forum insisted that Eba’s sudden reversal followed his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and should be seen as political opportunism, not genuine concern for the state.
Who are the key players in this political clash?
The Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) – a political support group – has come out swinging in defence of Governor Bassey Otu. The man under fire is Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, former Chairman of the APC in Cross River State, who recently dumped the ruling party for the PDP. The Forum’s statement was signed by its Chairman, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, and Secretary, Dr. Julius Ochim Okputu.
Where did this war of words erupt?
The exchange is playing out in Cross River State, with the Forum issuing its statement from Calabar on June 10, 2026. The battle is largely playing out on news platforms and political circles across the state, ahead of future elections.
What exactly did the Forum accuse Eba of doing?
The Forum accused Eba of a stunning reversal of position. They claimed that during his tenure as APC chairman, Eba repeatedly praised Governor Otu, calling him the “Sweetest Prince” and defending his administration’s policies. Now, after defecting to the PDP, Eba has suddenly turned critic. The Forum described this as political hypocrisy, arguing that his new criticisms should be viewed “within the context of his political realignment.”
When did this political drama unfold?
Eba was removed as APC State Chairman in December 2025. He later resigned from the APC and defected to the PDP. His recent criticisms of Governor Otu surfaced after that defection. The Forum issued its rebuttal on June 10, 2026. The news was published on June 11, 2026.
Why is the Forum defending Governor Otu so aggressively?
Because the 2027 elections are approaching. The Forum is essentially running interference for the governor, positioning him favourably ahead of the next political cycle. They are also trying to dismiss Eba’s criticisms as partisan attacks rather than genuine assessments of governance. By branding Eba a hypocrite who praised Otu when he was in APC and now attacks him in PDP, the Forum hopes to neutralise whatever political damage Eba’s words might cause.
How does the Forum back up its defence of Governor Otu?
The Forum listed what it called notable achievements of the Otu administration: ongoing road construction projects across the state, payment of examination fees for students, improvements in healthcare services, agricultural interventions, efforts to recover oil wells, the revitalisation of Tinapa, and increased consistency in salary, pension, and gratuity payments. They insisted that the administration’s “People First” agenda is delivering results.
5 explosive revelations from the war of words over Governor Otu’s performance.
1. The former APC chairman once called Governor Otu the “Sweetest Prince” – now he sings a different tune. Politics makes strange bedfellows – and even stranger enemies. Eba, according to the Forum, was once among Otu’s loudest cheerleaders. He praised the governor’s emergence and expressed confidence that his administration would succeed where previous governments failed. Now that Eba has crossed the floor to the PDP, his script has flipped. The Forum is using his own past words to hang him.
2. Eba’s removal as APC chairman in December 2025 came amid allegations of financial mismanagement. The Forum did not just attack Eba’s hypocrisy. They also reminded the public why he was shown the door in the first place. Allegations of financial mismanagement, administrative disagreements, and internal disputes led to his exit. The message is clear: this is not a man of principle. This is a man who fell from grace and is now lashing out.
3. The oil wells recovery battle is a major sore point in Cross River politics. The Forum specifically mentioned the government’s efforts to recover and secure Cross River’s oil wells. This is a long-standing, emotional issue for the state. By tying Eba’s criticism to this sensitive topic, the Forum is painting him as someone who would undermine the state’s interests for personal political gain.
4. The Forum listed tangible achievements – roads, exam fees, healthcare, salaries. Unlike many political defences that rely on empty rhetoric, the Forum cited specific projects: ongoing road construction, payment of student examination fees, better healthcare services, agricultural programmes, Tinapa revitalisation, and consistent salary and pension payments. These are concrete claims that voters can verify.
5. The Forum dismissed recent negative reports as having “methodological weaknesses.” The CRSCF alleged that attempts are being made to undermine the state government through recent publications. They argued that some critical assessments of the government contained flawed methods and failed to present a balanced picture. In other words, they are not just defending Otu – they are attacking the credibility of his critics and the media reports that amplify them.
How this war of words affects Cross River State politics.
i. The 2027 election campaign has clearly begun. This is not just a debate about governance. It is a pre-election battle. The Forum is positioning Governor Otu for a second term. Eba, now in the PDP, is likely positioning himself as a critic or potential challenger. The fight is just getting started.
ii. Voters are being asked to judge by records, not rhetoric. The Forum’s strategy is smart: instead of just calling Eba names, they listed specific achievements. They are asking voters to look at roads, exam fees, and salaries. That is a stronger defence than mere insults.
iii. Eba’s defection to PDP has made him a target for his former allies. In Nigerian politics, crossing the floor to the opposition is an invitation for attacks. The Forum is savaging Eba to deter others from following his path and to brand him as an opportunist.
iv. The oil wells issue remains a political weapon. Whoever is seen as fighting for Cross River’s oil wealth wins points. The Forum is claiming Otu is fighting. They are implying that Eba, by criticising the government, is not.
v. This fight could distract from actual governance. While politicians trade barbs, the work of running the state continues. The danger is that the political noise drowns out the substance – both the real achievements and the real failures.
Advice from this analyst.
1. To the Cross River State Consultative Forum: you have made your case. Now ensure that the achievements you listed are verifiable. If voters check and find roads not built or salaries unpaid, your defence will collapse.
2. To Barr. Alphonsus Eba: the Forum has used your own past words against you. If you have evidence that Governor Otu is performing poorly, present it clearly. If you do not, your criticisms will be dismissed as mere political mischief.
3. To Governor Bassey Otu: stay above the fray. Let your supporters fight the political battles. Focus on delivering tangible results. The best response to criticism is visible progress on the ground.
4. To the people of Cross River State: ignore the political noise. Look at the roads. Look at the hospitals. Look at your children’s school fees. Judge the governor by what you see, not by what politicians say about each other.
5. To the media: verify the claims from both sides. Do not just publish press releases. Investigate whether the roads are actually being built. Check if salaries are being paid. Your role is to separate truth from propaganda.
A question to make you reflect.
If a politician called Governor Otu the “Sweetest Prince” when he was in the APC but now attacks him after defecting to the PDP, which version of that politician should the public believe – the one who praised or the one who condemns?
The honest answer is: neither, until evidence is presented. Praise without evidence is flattery. Criticism without evidence is slander. The Forum has presented a list of achievements. Eba has presented… what? Until he provides specific evidence of failure, his attacks will look exactly like what the Forum claims they are: political revenge dressed up as concern.
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Akahi News gathered that a political firestorm has erupted in Cross River State. The Cross River State Consultative Forum has accused former APC chairman Alphonsus Eba of hypocrisy, claiming he praised Governor Otu as the “Sweetest Prince” before defecting to the PDP and turning critic. The Forum listed roads, exam fees, healthcare, and oil wells as evidence of Otu’s performance. Eba’s past words are now being used as a weapon against him. The 2027 election is still months away, but the battle lines are already drawn. Voters will decide – not based on who called whom a prince, but on whether the roads are smooth and the salaries are paid. Everything else is noise.