BREAKING: Obudu Council Chairman, Udiandeye, Set to Emerge Next Cross River APC Chairman
By Emmanuel Agbor
Barring any last minute political twists, the inner caucus of the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has concluded plans to install the Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Peter Akonfe Udiandeye, as the next state chairman of the party at the congress scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2026.
The APC national leadership had earlier fixed the party congresses as follows: ward congresses on Wednesday, February 18, 2026; local government congresses on Friday, February 20, 2026; state congress on Saturday, March 8, 2026; and zonal congress on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The local government congresses are also expected to produce three delegates, including at least one female, to the national convention.
Following the political developments that led to the removal of the former state chairman, Barrister Alphonsus Eba, and the subsequent release of the congress timetable, Governor Bassey Otu’s APC leadership reportedly commenced consultations to identify a credible, grassroots oriented and broadly acceptable replacement.
A source close to Government House told THE BEAGLE NEWS that the search committee, which worked quietly behind the scenes, settled on Peter Akonfe Udiandeye, subject to the absence of any last minute change of position.
According to the source, the decision was influenced by the position of Governor Bassey Otu and other key political stakeholders from the Northern Senatorial District, who reportedly agreed that it was politically expedient to retain the chairmanship position in the North to address concerns arising from the removal of Eba, who hails from Yala Local Government Area.
The position was, however, further micro- zoned to Bedia Ward in Obudu Local Government Area, where Udiandeye is from. Obudu is also the local government area of former Governor Ben Ayade.
Bedia Ward is noted for producing prominent figures, including the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye.
Sources further revealed that the current state secretary of the party, Mr. Patrick Asikpo Okkn, is likely to be retained. He hails from Calabar Municipality and is said to enjoy the confidence of the governor.
THE BEAGLE NEWS reliably gathered that the governor and members of his inner circle are discreetly consulting party elders and critical stakeholders across the state on the proposed candidatures of Udiandeye as chairman and the retention of the secretary.
If the plan succeeds, the state congress scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2026, is expected to serve largely as a formal endorsement exercise.
It was also gathered that the Obudu council chairman has been informed of the development and advised to begin preparations for handing over to his vice chairman. Sources close to Udiandeye disclosed that he has urged his associates to pray for him, describing the task ahead as a major responsibility.
Mixed reactions trail moves
Meanwhile, the development has generated mixed reactions in Obudu. Supporters of former Governor Ben Ayade are reportedly displeased with the zoning of the chairmanship to Obudu and the apparent narrowing of the choice to Udiandeye, alleging that it is a calculated move to weaken Ayade’s chances of contesting the party’s senatorial primary.
According to them, zoning the state party chairmanship to Obudu would make it politically difficult for the local government area to simultaneously produce both the party chairman and a senator.
An Ayade supporter, who identified himself as Gabriel Akomaye, said: "The move was aimed at sidelining the former governor and other Obudu aspirants with senatorial ambitions.
“Zoning the party chairmanship to Obudu automatically complicates our boss’s chances. It appears the political strategists around the governor may have calculated this to edge Ayade and other Obudu sons and daughters with senatorial ambitions out,” he said.
However, others have welcomed the zoning arrangement. Justine Agba, from Obudu Urban, said: "The move showed that Governor Otu had listened to calls from northern leaders to retain the party chairmanship in the zone ahead of the 2027 elections.
“If this eventually comes to fruition, it means the governor has responded to the yearnings of leaders in the North for inclusiveness after the removal of Eba,” Agba said.
He added that if the Obudu council chairman eventually emerges as chairman, the local government would support the governor’s administration, while advising that broader consultations be carried out to avoid unnecessary rancour within the party.
THE BEAGLE NEWS
