2027: Cross River Political Heavyweights Rally Around New Party as Ricketts Leads Emerging Coalition
By Ndifereke BASSEY
As the race toward the 2027 general elections heats up, a major political shake-up is brewing in Cross River State, with top power brokers aligning under a new coalition-backed party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The party, spearheaded by the Nigeria Coalition Group, a convergence of national political heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark, is currently awaiting registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Documents submitted to INEC, referenced as ADA/HQ/INEC/001/V.1 and dated June 19, 2025, list “Justice for All” as the party’s proposed motto.
At the helm of ADA’s interim leadership is Cross River-born technocrat and seasoned political strategist, Chief Akin Ricketts, who has been named Interim National Chairman. He is joined by Abdullahi Musa Elayo, who serves as the party’s Interim National Secretary. Ricketts, a key ally of both former Governor Liyel Imoke and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, was sighted at Margate Ekpo International Airport on June 20, returning from a strategic meeting in Abuja to engage with stakeholders on the party’s next steps.
Multiple sources confirm that several political heavyweights across the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and splinter groups within the Labour Party in Cross River are finalizing plans to defect to ADA once INEC completes the registration process. Among those reportedly throwing their weight behind the new platform are former Governor Liyel Imoke, who is said to be playing a critical role in its formation; Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe; Senator Gershom Bassey; Bassey Ewa; Ekpo Okon; Effiom Cobham; and Chief Ogban Ebook. Others include Chief Sam Bassey, Ntufam Eta Mbora, and Hon. Essien Ayi.
In addition, several disenchanted members of the Cross River State PDP executive and aggrieved APC loyalists, many of whom feel sidelined by Governor Bassey Otu’s administration, are reportedly in covert negotiations with ADA operatives to secure strategic roles at the ward, local government, and state levels.
The unrest, however, extends beyond party structures. Growing frustration is also spreading among members of the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, particularly within the APC. Many lawmakers are quietly reconsidering their political future, concerned that they may not receive return tickets in 2027. These lawmakers have cited exclusion from key decision-making processes, such as appointments and the controversial November 2023 local government elections, as reasons for their discontent.
Speaking anonymously to The Beagle News, one sitting legislator lamented, “Despite our sacrifices for the APC in 2023, we’ve been treated like political outcasts.”
With ADA gaining traction and old alliances crumbling, Cross River’s political landscape may be headed for a major realignment as 2027 approaches.
