Upset In Cross River APC As 4 Sitting Reps Lose Primaries

Four serving members of the House of Representatives from Cross River State have failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets in the just-concluded party primaries held on Saturday ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers were among eight APC members of the House from the state who participated in the exercise, which produced a mix of returning and defeated incumbents.

Among those who lost their tickets is three-term lawmaker, Mike Etaba, who represents Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency. Others who were unsuccessful include Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Dr. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, and Bassey Akiba, a former Labour Party member who defected to the APC to contest the Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency seat.

However, three sitting lawmakers secured return tickets for the 2027 elections. They include Peter Akpanke (Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency), Joseph Bassey (Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency), and Victor Abang (Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency), who will all fly the APC flag again.

Some of the defeated incumbents have rejected the outcome of the primaries, describing the exercise as a “charade” and alleging that the process was manipulated against sitting members.

They accused the state leadership of the APC of violating both the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, insisting that the primaries were not fair and did not provide equal opportunity for all aspirants.

In response, the Cross River State APC Chairman, Hon. Chris Etta, defended the exercise, insisting that the primaries were free and fair.

He said no formal complaints of irregularities were received from across the wards in the 18 local government areas where the exercise was conducted.

Etta explained that the party adopted direct primaries, adding that some candidates voluntarily stepped down at the last minute but the process continued in line with party guidelines.

“The election was conducted through direct primaries. Some candidates decided on their own to step down at the last minute, but that didn’t stop us from carrying on with the primaries,” he said.

He maintained that the party followed due process in line with the Electoral Act and its constitution, adding that every contestant was given equal opportunity.

However, there were claims that the party leadership has yet to formally announce or publish the full results, with concerns raised over the absence of an official notice board declaration.