By Abasi Ita
Fresh controversy has erupted within the All Progressives Congress APC following reports that Oden Ewa and Daniel Asuquo have been disqualified from participating in the party’s senatorial primaries for Cross River Central and Cross River South Senatorial Districts respectively.
The development was contained in a list circulating on social media on Monday and reportedly issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, through a verified X handle.
Ewa, who currently serves as Commissioner for Special Duties in Cross River State, was considered a major contender in the Cross River Central Senatorial District race and was widely believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Bassey Otu and influential political stakeholders within the state.
Similarly, Asuquo, a former member of the House of Representatives popularly known as “Dansuki,” had emerged as one of the prominent aspirants for the APC ticket in Cross River South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The reported disqualification of the two aspirants has already triggered reactions within the party, with supporters expressing shock over the development and raising concerns about possible political implications ahead of the primaries.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership in Cross River State had yet to issue a separate official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the reported disqualification.
Party insiders, however, said the development may not be unconnected with ongoing internal realignments and growing power struggles within the APC ahead of the National Assembly primaries.
The development is expected to alter political calculations in both senatorial districts, especially in Cross River Central where the contest had largely been viewed as a fierce battle between incumbent senator Eteng Jonah Williams and Oden Ewa.
Political observers believe the latest development could further heighten tension within the ruling party as stakeholders await further clarification from the APC national leadership.