APC Primaries: 5 Cross River Reps Members Lose Re-election Tickets

No fewer than five serving members of the National Assembly from Cross River State have lost their bids to return to the Senate and House of Representatives after the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.

The primaries for both chambers of the National Assembly were held between Saturday and Monday ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Cross River State currently has 11 lawmakers in the National Assembly, all elected on the platform of the APC, comprising eight members of the House of Representatives and three senators representing Cross River South, Central and North senatorial districts.

While all three senators secured the party’s tickets for the forthcoming elections, only three of the eight House of Representatives members seeking re-election were successful.

The lawmakers who retained their tickets are Joseph Bassey, representing Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency; Peter Akpanke, representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku; and Victor Abang, representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.

However, several incumbents lost their return bids. They include Emil Inyang (Biase/Akamkpa), Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipality/Odukpani), Godwin Offiono (Yala/Ogoja), and Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency).

Meanwhile, Alex Egbona, who represented Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency, had earlier defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the APC primaries.

In the Senate, all three lawmakers—Eteng Williams (Cross River Central), Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe (Cross River North), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South)—secured their party tickets through affirmation votes in their respective districts.

Speaking after securing the ticket, Williams said he would continue to prioritise human capital development, noting that he had facilitated foreign scholarships for constituents.

“I have sent over 36 people abroad to study. My priority is human capital development. That is why I am sending so many people abroad to study,” he said.

Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe also pledged to sustain people-oriented projects across Cross River North if re-elected.

Similarly, Ekpenyong said he would continue investing in youth empowerment, infrastructure and policies aimed at transforming Cross River South.