C’River: APC suspends lawmaker over alleged assault on wife

2026-03-26 - 17:33

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR The Ward Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obubra has suspended Hon. Ovat Agbor, member representing Obubra I in the Cross River State House of Assembly indefinitely from the party. In a strongly-worded signed by Ward Chairman Stephen Ebokpo and Secretary Igirigiri Sam, the committee cited serious allegations of public assault on Agbor’s wife, persistent refusal to honour invitations to respond to complaints, and failure to engage with party structures at ward and constituency levels. The letter, sighted by Vanguard was copied to the Obubra Chapter Chairman, the State Chairman in Calabar, the Governor, Sen Bassey Edet Otu, and his wife Bishop Eyoanwan Edet Otu, invoked Article 21, Subsections (i), (iii), (vii), and (x) of the APC Constitution. “At the heart of this decision lies the deeply troubling and widely reported allegation of public assault against your wife – an act which, if established, represents not only a grave moral failing but a conduct profoundly inconsistent with the dignity of your office and the values we uphold as a party,” the letter stated. It added that such alleged conduct violates the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 domesticated in Cross River State, and has caused reputational damage to the APC and the state government. “The All Progressives Congress is not merely a political platform, it is a moral covenant anchored on discipline, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. “We therefore cannot and will not lend our name or shelter to conduct that erodes public trust,” the committee declared. The suspension takes immediate effect, barring Agbor from all party activities pending the outcome of a full disciplinary process. A Disciplinary Committee is to be constituted to investigate the allegations thoroughly. The ward executives also accused Agbor of failing to convene or participate meaningfully in meetings at ward and constituency levels since assuming office, despite repeated calls. This development comes amid reports that the Cross River State House of Assembly had earlier suspended the lawmaker indefinitely over the same alleged domestic violence incident. Agbor’s wife was later quoted distancing herself from the claims in some reports, while the lawmaker apologised over the matter.