By Abasi Ita
Indications have emerged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State may be heading into a wave of defections following difficulties in sealing a smooth consensus arrangement for the 2027 National Assembly elections.
Sources familiar with ongoing negotiations told our reporter that while a tentative consensus list has been reached at the senatorial level, tensions remain high over House of Representatives tickets, with several incumbent lawmakers reportedly uncertain of their return bids.
According to the arrangement being considered, Senators Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (Cross River North), Eteng Jonah Williams (Cross River Central), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) are being positioned as consensus candidates, with strong indications they may secure return tickets under current party calculations.
At the House of Representatives level, incumbents Joseph Bassey (Akpabuyo/Bakassi and Calabar South), Victor Abang (Ikom/Boki), and Peter Akpanke (Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku) are reportedly favoured for second-term endorsements.
However, uncertainty hangs over the fate of Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipality/Odukpani), Emil Inyang (Akamkpa/Biase), Alex Egbona (Abi/Yakurr), Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung), and Godwin Offiono (Ogoja/Yala), whose constituencies are now at the centre of intense internal negotiations.
Party insiders disclosed that fresh contenders are already lobbying for replacement slots, with names such as Ngim Okpo, former Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency; John Gaul Lebo, former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly; Dr. Blessing Otobha Egbara, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Dr. Stella Odey, former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, gaining traction.
The Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency remains the most contentious, as stakeholders from Odukpani insist on retaining the seat, while political actors in Calabar Municipality are demanding a shift in line with zoning considerations, arguing that Odukpani already boasts a sitting governor and a serving senator.
Amid the unresolved disputes, there are growing fears that some aggrieved incumbents may defect to other political platforms if they are edged out in the final consensus list. Party sources said some lawmakers are already exploring possible alignment with factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the newly formed National Democratic Congress.
Political stakeholders who spoke on condition of anonymity warned that the coming weeks will be critical in determining the final shape of political alignments in the state, as loyalists of affected politicians may follow their principals into alternative parties if consensus efforts collapse.