By Abasi Ita
The purported senatorial ambition of former Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, has met stiff resistance as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Peter Higgins, declared that Cross River North will determine its own candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Higgins made the position known on Friday while addressing party stakeholders in Yala Local Government Area, warning against any attempt to impose candidates on the senatorial district. He insisted that the people of the North remain united and determined to choose who represents them at the National Assembly.
“Let me put this on record clearly, the North is united. The North will decide who will represent it in the National Assembly,” he said, drawing strong reactions from the audience.
While acknowledging the governor as the leader of the party in the state, Higgins maintained that such authority does not override the collective will of Cross River North stakeholders.
He explained that leaders of the zone would first reach internal consensus before presenting their choice to the party hierarchy, expressing confidence that the position of the district would be respected.
“The governor remains the leader of the party in the state, but the North will sit down, agree on who will lead it, and then approach him and the party. We believe he will align with us because we understand our needs and who is best suited to represent us,” he stated.
Higgins also criticised Ayade’s tenure as governor, particularly highlighting unresolved infrastructure challenges, including the long neglected Ukele Road, which he cited as evidence of unmet expectations.
“You see this Ukele Road and how long our people have suffered. After eight years in office, it remains undone, and now he wants to come back. To do what?” he asked, eliciting murmurs of agreement from attendees.
The development signals a growing political contest within the APC in Cross River North, as local stakeholders increasingly assert influence ahead of the 2027 polls.
Despite his firm stance, Higgins called for unity and cooperation, reaffirming his commitment to work with stakeholders across Yala and the wider senatorial district to ensure that the eventual candidate reflects the collective aspiration of the people and strengthens the region’s political voice at the national level.