APM Backs Ricketts For 2027 Cross River Senate Ticket

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has offered Chief Akin Anderson Ricketts its senatorial ticket for the 2027 Cross River Central election, describing him as the “rescue” the zone urgently needs.

In a letter dated April 29, 2026, and signed by the party’s State Chairman, Pastor Ntami Esege, APM said it would grant Ricketts an immediate waiver and field him as its candidate, arguing that the Central Senatorial District was currently suffering from poor representation at the National Assembly.

The party claimed that the “dividends of democracy” had been reduced to “distant echoes” for residents of the zone, stressing that a change in leadership had become necessary ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We have reached one conclusion — our zone needs a rescue, and that rescue has a name: Chief Akin Ricketts,” the party stated.

It added, “This is not just a party ticket. It is the collective mandate, the cry, and the last hope of a people who have been shortchanged for too long.”

APM anchored its appeal on Ricketts’ public service record, including his tenure as Cross River Commissioner for Information and former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where it said he demonstrated “transparency, visionary leadership, and an unshakable commitment to public good.”

The party also made a direct appeal to former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, urging him to allow Ricketts to accept the political offer.

“We further appeal to you to graciously convince our revered leader… why he should release you to answer this call of destiny,” the letter added.

Ricketts, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has not publicly reacted to the offer.

APM said it is prepared to mobilise support across Ikom, Etung, Boki, Yakurr, Abi and Obubra Local Government Areas should he accept the ticket, expressing confidence in his ability to secure victory.

“Chief, history is watching. Cross River Central is waiting… Come and be that change,” the party pleaded.