Gladiators to Shape C’ River 2027 Politics, Their Power, Paradoxes

Anthony EKPO BASSEY

As Cross River State progresses towards the 2027 general elections, politicians are scheming and scouting for political positions and relevance ahead, but not loudly for now. It seems political power is no longer defined only by holding an office in government or by loud ambition. Instead, it is likely shaped by restraint and assertion, relevance and retreat, legacy and reinvention. The men and women who dominate today’s political conversations do so not merely by action, but equally by calculated inaction and strategic silence. Each gladiator carries strengths that sustain their influence and weaknesses that may limit their reach in the coming political cycle. Our Executive Editor, Anthony Ekpo Bassey, in this piece assesses some political gladiators in Cross River State and ascertains how their personalities, political influences and dispositions will shape the politics of Cross River State in the year, 2027. 

H/E GOVERNOR BASSEY EDET OTU

Governor Bassey Edet Otu, apparently stands as the fulcrum upon which the 2027 contest will rotate. His incumbency gives him unmatched authority and access to state machinery. Beyond that, he has demonstrated good leadership through provision of basic amenities and construction and reconstruction of roads across various parts of the state. He is also seen by many, as a bridge builder, a unifying factor and a thread that binds all parts of the multi-ethnic state through equitable distribution of political appointments and delivery of projects across the three senatorial districts of the state. 

Otu seems to have disappointed some of his critics who thought he would not do much. He has exceeded their expectations through completed and ongoing projects in the state. Also, the recently concluded colourful and loudly celebrated festive activities hosted by the state under his leadership, speak volume of his capacity, credibility and competence in handling security and state matters optimally. All of that and even those not stated here, seem to have endeared him to the people, who would most likely, return him to office, for a second-term. However, there are some of his party men and women, political disciples, and supporters across the state, who feel aggrieved that the Governor has not settled them after they worked for his victory at the poll in 2023. Some of such people, may likely find relevance in the brewing ADC, which seems to be slowly yet steadily gathering momentum in the state. 

 DR. EMMANUEL IRONBAR

It is quite obvious that Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, exercises influence that far outweighs his public visibility. His power lies in proximity to his boss, controlling access, shaping administrative flow, and quietly managing political expectations within government. 

Moreover, he seems to understand the mechanisms of his office and refuses to allow external factors deter or distract him from the expectations of his office. In recent times however, he has been accused in some quarters, of rigidity and high handedness in his relationship with some political appointees and office holders at the state. Such office holders may choose to travel a different path from him politically and may likely not support him wholly in his political endeavour. 

Be it as it may, Ironbar remains an indispensable factor in the scheme of politics in the state ahead of 2027. There are rumours that he is nursing a political ambition, which he hopes will be actualised in 2027, and he is yet to debunk the rumour. 

 H/E LIYEL IMOKE

Liyel Imoke, is a former Governor of Cross River State. He remains one of the most intellectually strategic actors in Cross River politics. From his body language and quiet engagements, one can safely say that time has not diminished his grasp of political structures or his ability to read long-term trends. His shift towards building or aligning with alternative political platforms reflects adaptability and an understanding that the traditional two-party dominance may not always serve elite or grassroots interests.

However, his relevance in the 2027 political discourse at the state, increasingly depends on elite consensus rather than mass enthusiasm. To younger voters, he risks appearing as a relic of a political era they did not benefit from directly, and the success of any new political coalition under his influence depends heavily on whether it can translate elite planning into grassroots energy. ahead of 2027, he is still a voice to be reckoned with. if Coalition finds its feet finally, then Imoke has a big role in cross River politics. 

 H/E BEN AYADE

Ben Ayade, is the immediate past Governor of Cross River State. He occupies a complex space in the political psyche of Cross River. Bold, unconventional, and fiercely ambitious, he altered the state’s political trajectory by defecting to the APC and engineering its rise to power locally. His courage to disrupt entrenched political norms remains his defining strength. Yet, his legacy is burdened by controversy, policy overreach, and governance questions that still polarise public opinion. His current silence suggests a strategic withdrawal rather than irrelevance, but prolonged detachment from public discourse risks recasting him from a central actor into a peripheral influencer whose power exists only in memory and private negotiation.

There are rumours in some quarters that Ben Ayade is seriously interested in contesting for the C/River Northern Senatorial Seat in 2027 and he is banking his hopes on his successor, incumbent Governor Bassey Otu, to hand him the ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the needed support to emerge victorious at the poll. 

 H/E DONALD DUKE

Former Governor Donald Duke is very popular among the people even after many years of leaving office. He seems to be the most celebrated and cheered among all former Governors of the state. He represents a period many still regard as visionary in Cross River governance, especially in economic and tourism developments. Undoubtedly, ahead of and in the year 2027, his opinions shall retain weight, and his presence in political discussions will evoke a benchmark against which others will be measured. However, Duke’s detachment from grassroots party politics and his reluctance to fully re-enter the arena limit his practical impact. He remains an admired reference point rather than a mobilising force, influential but seemingly not decisive.

 CLEMENT EBRI

Former Governor Clement Ebri stands as a symbol of political continuity and elderly wisdom. His involvement in the 2027 elections at the state, not as a contestant but as an elder statesman playing an advisory role, shall lend moral weight to contemporary governance efforts and reassures older political blocs. Ebri is widely loved and highly regarded by his people back home. 

However, there are people who say that they will appreciate him more, if he starts mentoring young people from his part of Cross River State and prepare them for leadership and political opportunities in the furthest future. 

 JARIGBE AGOM JARIGBE

 Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe is widely loved, accepted and appreciated by his people at home and abroad. He is a home-based politician who lives with and among his people. He is one politician who exercises the ‘people first’ mantra and his impact is widely felt through impactful legislative representation and the projects he has attracted to his senatorial district. 

Jarigbe is seen as a towering figure in the politics of Northern Cross River and he commands a huge followership. Consequent upon this, it is most likely that the people’s political decisions will be based on his directives and guidance. 

If Ayade makes up his mind to contest for the senatorial seat of Cross River North, it will be a serious fight of the titans, because Jarigbe is interested in returning to same seat and that will make the race highly competitive in the year 2027. Can one say that Ayade is his greatest headache? Let time decide.

 ASUQUO EKPENYONG (Jnr) 

Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, symbolises generational transition within the political elite. His articulation, technocratic outlook, and national exposure give him credibility among young professionals and policy-minded voters. He fits neatly into the evolving narrative of modern governance and future leadership. Besides, his presence pockets and projects seem to have been largely felt by his constituents. From his track records, his contenders would require a lot of political stamina to wrestle with him in 2027. 

In spite of all this, with 2027 in view, without sustained local engagements, Ekpenyong risks being perceived as a product of elite politics rather than a champion of everyday concerns. 

 ETENG JONES WILLIAM

Sen. Eteng Jones William functions as a stabilising presence within party and legislative structures. His consistency and loyalty have earned him trust within the ruling party, and his role in reinforcing executive-legislative harmony strengthens institutional governance. Eteng is also at home with his people yet much of the criticisms he suffers, is home-based and this should be a matter of particular concern for him.

 Nonetheless, he remains a strong political force whose disposition and possibly re-contest for a second term, will shape the politics of the Central Senatorial District in 2027. Love or hate him, Eteng pulls a lot of weight in the politics of the Central Senatorial District of the state.

 SANDY ONOR

Prof. Sandy Onor still possesses the caterpillar’s strength at pulling through times and circumstances. Regardless of his loss at the last governorship election, he still has the ears and minds of numerous electorate across the state. It is quite obvious that some of his loyal supporters are watching his body language and waiting for his next political move or directives ahead of 2027.

It is important to state that his limited coalition-building may weaken his perceived electability. Without a constructive alliance-building, his voice may remain loud but politically isolated. Notwithstanding, his political followers will look up to him for direction in 2027. 

 GERSHOM BASSEY

Sen. Gershom Bassey exemplifies the power of quiet calculation. Apparently, his wealth, experience, and long-standing networks ensure he is never irrelevant, even in silence. On the strength of this, his voice will be heard in the politics of the state in 2027. His huge followers will go wherever his finger points at and that will surely, make a difference. His restraint suggests strategic patience rather than withdrawal. Still, politics is an arena that rewards visibility, and prolonged absence from public engagement risks eroding grassroots connection, and that may leave his influence strongest only among elites

 DANIEL ASUQUO

Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo, popularly known as Dansuki, remains an insider’s insider. His understanding of party negotiations and elite consensus-building keeps him relevant within closed political spaces. As surely as 2027 is concerned, Dansuki shall play a decisive role in the scheme of things. He is highly revered in the politics of the state especially, in his stronghold, Akamkpa/Biase areas of the state.

However, his limited public presence calls for worry, because it may restrict his capacity to shape popular narratives and could confine his power to backstage maneuvering.

 OWAN ENOH

Sen. Owan Enoh’s national political exposure adds strategic depth to his profile and this is a huge plus for him. Moreover, he brings federal-level experience and perspective that can enrich state politics in 2027. Still, distance from day-to-day state engagement, may weaken his immediate relevance unless deliberately reactivated.

 *ZANA AKPAGU* 

Prof. Zana Akpagu, shall represent the intellectual conscience of the political field in 2027. His appeal will lie in integrity, competence, and the promise of technocratic leadership. Yet, intellectual credibility alone does not win elections. Without strong party structures and grassroots machinery, his influence may remain aspirational rather than actionable.

Finally, it is worthy to note that some gladiators command power through office, others through memory, intellect, or silence. Their strengths often double as their weaknesses, and their survival will depend on how well they adapt to a rapidly evolving political environment. In the end, the contest will not merely be about who speaks the loudest, but who best understands when to act, when to align, and when to wait. 

 THE. EAGLE NEWS