APC Primaries: Eteng, Ekpere Demand Cancellation Of Cross River Central Exercise

Senator representing Cross River Central, Senator Eteng Jonas Williams, and APC aspirant Mary Ekpere have called for the immediate cancellation of Monday’s purported primary election in the senatorial district, describing the exercise as “flawed and lacking legitimacy.”

The duo made the call in Ikom while addressing a large crowd of supporters, insisting that the exercise violated earlier party directives guiding the conduct of the primaries.

They alleged that the party had earlier barred Oden Ewa from participating due to clearance issues and also directed that all results be submitted to the national secretariat for proper ratification.

Senator Eteng alleged that the process was compromised through the withholding of electoral materials and the use of what he described as an “unauthorised electoral panel,” which he claimed was deliberately constituted to influence the outcome in favour of a preferred candidate.

He further alleged that many supporters who arrived early at designated ward and local government collation centres met empty venues, adding that voting locations were “suddenly changed overnight,” a move he said disenfranchised eligible party members.

According to him, the development reflected “a calculated attempt by influential figures within the party to suppress participation and impose a predetermined outcome.”

Mary Ekpere also alleged that her name was deliberately removed from the list of aspirants in Cross River Central and transferred to Cross River North, describing it as an attempt to sideline her from the contest.

She claimed the action was orchestrated by the state chapter of the APC to “clear the path for a preferred candidate of the state government led by Governor Bassey Otu.”

“We are all members of the APC who worked for the survival of the party during its difficult years. The selective treatment given to Oden Ewa despite his disqualification is unacceptable. Governor Otu should not allow selfish interests to undermine the party,” she said.

Supporters at the gathering cautioned against actions capable of deepening divisions within the party ahead of the general elections, urging the leadership to take disciplinary steps to restore order and internal democracy.

They warned that any perceived compromise of party supremacy could trigger protest votes and weaken the APC’s electoral chances.

Reacting to the call for cancellation, Oden Ewa, in a telephone interview, questioned the basis for such a demand, insisting he was duly cleared for the contest.

“It should be cancelled on what basis? There was nothing like Oden Ewa being disqualified. The organising secretary signed the document that cleared me. I was cleared before going for the contest,” he said.

In a separate reaction, APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Edem, dismissed the allegations, saying the party could not have acted in the manner described by the aggrieved aspirants.