By Abasi Ita
Crisis appears to be brewing within the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State as some members of the House of Representatives seeking second term bids have rejected the outcome of the party’s ongoing primaries, describing the process as a charade.
The lawmakers, including representatives of Ogoja/Yala and Akamkpa/Biase federal constituencies, accused the state leadership of the APC of conducting a flawed process allegedly skewed against incumbent aspirants.
Speaking separately, the aggrieved aspirants alleged that the primaries violated both the Electoral Act and the constitution of the party.
The member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Godwin Offiono, expressed disappointment over what he described as the disenfranchisement of party members in his constituency.
According to him, efforts to arrive at a consensus failed, prompting the party leadership to adopt direct primaries, but he claimed the process did not reflect democratic standards.
Offiono alleged that results were announced before electoral materials arrived in parts of Yala Local Government Area, insisting that he neither voted nor saw voting materials in his ward at Okuku.
He maintained that he remained in the race and had not stepped down for any aspirant.
The lawmaker further appealed to Governor Bassey Otu to ensure that due process and the provisions of the Electoral Act were respected in the conduct of the primaries.
Similarly, the member representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, Emil Inyang, also rejected the outcome of the exercise, insisting that he had not withdrawn from the contest.
Inyang warned that allowing what he termed a compromised process to stand could negatively affect the party’s performance in the 2027 general elections.
He called on the governor and party leadership to allow party members decide candidates through a transparent process.
Meanwhile, reports from some wards indicated confusion and absence of electoral officials during the exercise.
A party member in Biase Local Government Area, who spoke anonymously, claimed members were invited through text messages to gather at the council secretariat for the primary election but alleged that no officials or voting materials arrived as of the afternoon.