EXCLUSIVE: Cross River NASS Consensus List Emerges as Emil, Egbona, Etaba, Offiono Face Uncertainty
By Bassey Bassey
Barring any last minute changes, indications have emerged that Senators Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Eteng Jonah Williams and Asuquo Ekpenyong may emerge as consensus candidates for the Cross River North, Central and South Senatorial Districts respectively ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reliable political sources told THE BEAGLE NEWS that the three senators are expected to secure return tickets to the Senate as part of ongoing political arrangements within the state.
At the House of Representatives, the incumbents representing Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South, Ikom/Boki and Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituencies, namely Joseph Bassey, Victor Abang and Peter Akpanke, are also believed to be favoured for a second term.
However, the situation appears uncertain for some other serving lawmakers, including Bassey Akiba of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani,Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase, Alex Egbona of Abi/Yakurr, Mike Etaba of Obubra/Etung and Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituencies.
Party insiders disclosed that the lawmakers may be replaced by new contenders already gaining support within political circles. Those being mentioned include former Director General of Border Communities Development Agency, Ngim Okpo, former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, John Gaul Lebo, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Mrs Blessing Otobha Egbara, and Dr Stella Odey, a former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Sources further revealed that the Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency seat remains a subject of intense political negotiations. While leaders from Odukpani are reportedly pushing for the retention of the incumbent lawmaker, stakeholders from Calabar Municipality are said to be demanding a power shift to their local government area in the interest of political balance since Odukpani has gotten the govership and senate slots.
There are also speculations that some incumbent lawmakers who may lose out in the arrangement could defect to other political parties ahead of the primaries to pursue their ambitions.
Some are reportedly considering alignment with the Nyesom Wike backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, while others are said to be exploring the possibility of joining the newly formed National Democratic Congress.
Political stakeholders who spoke with THE BEAGLE NEWS on condition of anonymity said developments in the coming weeks would determine the direction of political alignments in the state, as supporters of affected politicians may also move with their leaders to new political platforms.
