Essien Ayi Dumps PDP, Defects to APC

By Bassey Bassey

Former Cross River State federal lawmaker, Essien Ayi, who represented the Calabar South Akpabuyo Bakassi Federal Constituency, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Ayi served in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2023 on the platform of the PDP. He lost his re election bid in 2023 to the APC and has since maintained a low profile in the political space.

However, sources disclosed that Ayi has been quietly aligning with the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, a move that culminated in his decision to formally leave the PDP.

According to the sources, Ayi exited the PDP about six months ago but is expected to officially declare for the APC today, Sunday December 28, 2025, at his Ward 8 in Calabar South.

He is also expected to defect alongside over 5,000 of his supporters from the PDP, a development seen as a major boost for the APC and a significant setback for the opposition party in Calabar South.

The Beagle News