2027: Anam Denies Reps Bid, Dismisses Media Reports as Politically Motivated
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Mayor of Calabar Municipality, Rt. Hon. Apostle James Anam, has denied reports linking him to the race for the Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as politically motivated and misleading.
Anam was reacting to a media report alleging that he had purchased nomination forms to contest for the House of Representatives seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress alongside other aspirants.
The Mayor dismissed the publication as false and an attempt to drag his name into unnecessary political speculation capable of creating tension within the party.
In a statement made available to journalists, Anam stated unequivocally that he has neither purchased any nomination form for the federal constituency race nor declared interest in contesting for the seat.
According to him, his current priority remains the administration of Calabar Municipality and the consolidation of developmental projects and programmes within the council area.
“The publication is entirely false and does not represent my position in any way. I have not purchased any nomination form for the Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency race and I am not in the contest for the APC ticket,” he said.
Clarifying reports surrounding his recent presence at the APC national secretariat, the Mayor explained that he only accompanied a delegation of eminent Cross Riverians led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, to procure Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the second term bid of Governor Bassey Otu.
“I went to the APC secretariat solely as part of the delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, to procure Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the second term bid of Governor Bassey Otu,” Anam explained.
He further described the report as sponsored and politically motivated, alleging that it was designed to distract his attention and create unnecessary divisions within the APC.
The Mayor also refuted claims suggesting that he travelled to Abuja to purchase nomination forms for the House of Representatives race or that he was involved in any underground political arrangements ahead of 2027.
According to him, such claims exist only in the imagination of the authors and their sponsors.
Anam urged party faithful and members of the public to disregard the report, insisting that any future political decision concerning him would be communicated officially through the appropriate channels.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and his commitment to supporting the party’s leadership and democratic processes in Cross River State.
The Mayor also called on journalists and media organisations to uphold professionalism by verifying facts before publication, especially on politically sensitive matters capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
