2027: APC Targets Credible Consensus Candidates in C'River
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has charged members of its Senatorial District Leadership Forums to help the party produce viable and widely acceptable consensus candidates capable of delivering victory in the 2027 general elections.
The State Chairman, Christopher Sunny Eta, gave the charge during the inauguration of the forums, comprising chairmen and secretaries from the three senatorial districts.
Eta urged members of the newly constituted bodies to approach their assignment with a sense of duty and ensure the emergence of credible consensus candidates with broad appeal, free from primordial sentiments, while preserving party unity and cohesion.
“We must produce credible consensus candidates who will enjoy wide acceptance and deliver victory for our party,” he said.
He stressed that integrity, competence and diligence must guide the selection process, noting that the quality of candidates presented would ultimately determine the party’s performance at the polls.
The chairman added that decisions taken at this stage would have far reaching implications for the future of the state and the country, and called on stakeholders to act with sincerity and responsibility.
He also advocated a review of existing zoning arrangements to ensure they reflect the aspirations of party members and the electorate, while emphasizing the need to prioritise aspirants with proven track records and strong electoral value.
Eta warned against the imposition of candidates, noting that such actions could weaken the party’s chances and discourage voter participation.
He further underscored the importance of unity, describing the forums as strategic platforms for harmonising interests and building consensus among aspirants.
The Senatorial District Leadership Forums, established for the Southern, Central and Northern districts, are expected to serve as intermediary bodies between aspirants and party stakeholders. All aspirants have been directed to appear before their respective forums for engagement and screening.
Those appointed to lead the forums include Chief Eyo Nsa and Chief Dominic Aqua Edem for the Southern District, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Hon. Edema Irom for the Central District, as well as Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo and Ntufam Peter Ojie for the Northern District.
In his acceptance remarks, Ugbo, who chairs the Northern Forum, thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in them, describing the assignment as crucial to maintaining internal harmony and ensuring electoral success.
“Our focus will be to identify credible and marketable candidates who can win elections. This assignment goes beyond ticket allocation; it is about securing victory for the party,” he said.
Other members of the committee include members of the APC State Working Committee drawn from the senatorial districts, comprising nine from the South, eight from the Central, and seven from the North.
Observers say the initiative reflects the party’s renewed effort to deepen internal democracy, strengthen unity and position itself strongly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
