Cross River Assembly: Okon, Richy, Ibor, Obi, Abang Battle for 25 member Seats
By Missang AKPET
Political activity in Cross River State has intensified since last week as aspirants across the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and Peoples Redemption Party concluded intense lobbying and grassroots campaigns ahead of the 2027 House of Assembly primaries.
With 25 state constituencies up for grabs, both ruling and opposition parties have recorded a surge in aspirants made up of former council chairmen, business leaders, and first-time contenders seeking to unseat incumbents.
APC faces challenges from party loyalists
In the ruling APC, several sitting lawmakers faced stiff challenges within the party. In Obubra 2, Hon. Egbe Abeng lost young Richard Romanus who ran against him during the last primaries, Romanus built his campaign around youth representation and infrastructure.
In Bakassi, incumbent Hon. Eyo Bassey lost to former media Aide to the governor Andre Inyang, a move seen as an intent to establish Otu's structure in the state..
PDP rebuilding With New Faces
The PDP, now in opposition after losing the governorship in 2023, is banking on a mix of experienced politicians and new entrants to reclaim seats. In Abi LGA, House of Reps member Alex Egbona is back in the race, while in Obubra, education consultant Dr. Rose Ekpo is running on a platform of education and women’s empowerment.
State PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem, said the party had attracted over 80 aspirants across the 25 constituencies and described the process as open and transparent.
Some of the aspirants on the role for the state house of Assembly seats are Egon Osim (Abi), Hon. Henry Eneji (Bekwara), Hon. Pst. Obia Ikika (Biase), Cosmos Obi (Boki 1), Douglas Orim Abang (Boki 2), Justina Ntino (Etung), Favour Neji Abang (Ikom 1), Otum Sandy (Ikom 2), John Ukwu Agwupuye (Obudu), James Ibor (Yakkur 1), Kingdom Wisdom (Yakkur 2).
PRP and Others expanding footprint
Meanwhile, the PRP, which recently picked Donald Duke as its presidential candidate, the NDC and the ADC, are also fielding candidates in most of the constituencies. Party officials say the goal is to provide a third option for voters disillusioned with the two major parties.
In Yakkur 1, activist James Ibor is in serious contention to unseat the incumbent Cyril Omini sighting effective representation away from the rubber stamp "Aye and Nay" while Nash Bassey of the NDC comes with grassroots credibility to contest the Yakkur 1 seat.
Others who are in contention for various House of Assembly seats in PDP include Egon Osim (Abi), Hon. Henry Eneji (Bekwara), Hon. Pst. Obia Ikika (Biase), Cosmos Obi (Boki 1), Douglas Orim Abang (Boki 2), Justina Ntino (Etung), Favour Neji Abang (Ikom 1), Otum Sandy (Ikom 2), John Ukwu Agwupuye (Obudu) and Kingdom Wisdom (Yakkur 2).
In ADC, Ekpe David (Abi), Emmanuel Asuquo (Bakassi), Nathaniel Friday (Obubra II) and Effiong Okon (Akpabuyo).
What’s next
Party primaries are still in process in some parties while some have concluded their Primaries. Observers say the level of competition across party lines points to a more competitive 2027 assembly election than in previous cycles.
Civil groups react
Civil society groups in Calabar have urged aspirants to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid violence as attempts to rig would be resisted totally. With the governorship ticket already settled in the APC, attention among the APC lawmakers is now shifting to who will control the State House of Assembly when the next administration takes over in 2027.
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