By Abasi Ita
Fresh tensions have erupted within the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State following the emergence of an alleged consensus list ahead of the party’s House of Representatives primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 16.
Findings indicate that Governor Bassey Otu, through the party structure, endorsed consensus candidates for the eight federal constituencies in the state, a development that has triggered protests and resistance from some serving lawmakers and party stakeholders.
Those believed to have secured endorsement for a second term after intense political negotiations are the incumbents representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South, Ikom/Boki and Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituencies, namely Joseph Bassey, Victor Abang and Peter Akpanke.
However, uncertainty surrounds the political future of other serving lawmakers including Bassey Akiba of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani, Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase, Mike Etaba of Obubra/Etung and Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituencies, all of whom are reportedly determined to challenge the arrangement by participating in the primaries.
The consensus list reportedly features former Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency, Ngim Okpo for Akamkpa/Biase, former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, John Gaul Lebo for Abi/Yakurr, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Blessing Otobha Egbara for Obubra/Etung, Stella Odey, a former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, for Ogoja/Yala as well as Effeffiong Nta Eke for Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency.
The development has reportedly deepened divisions within the ruling party, with aggrieved aspirants and their supporters insisting they were neither consulted nor carried along before the list was announced.
A party stakeholder from Biase, Richard Etaike said the governor’s preference for consensus candidates had generated strong opposition and could destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, there was no meeting involving stakeholders or aspirants before the names were unveiled.
“For instance, there was no stakeholders meeting or meeting of aspirants to hear everybody out as was done in other states.
“Rather, the governor was said to have forwarded the list to the party, and the party in turn summoned chapter chairmen and announced the names of consensus candidates as was the case in the Assembly and House of Representatives arrangements,” he said.
Etaike further expressed concern that the process was alienating many loyal party members and creating room for distrust and acrimony within the APC family in the state.
He alleged that many legacy members of the party had been sidelined in the allocation of House of Representatives tickets.
Another stakeholder from Abi, Emmanuel Bassey, described the arrangement as an “ambush list,” warning that undemocratic tendencies could weaken the party’s chances in the general elections.
“We have never witnessed this kind of consensus and highhandedness since the days of PDP. It is worrisome and surprising that people who worked for the party and supported the governor are treated like nobodies and thrown away like a pack of cards,” he said.
Meanwhile, sources close to the camps of Akiba, Inyang, Etaba and Offiono said the lawmakers remained resolute and were prepared to test their popularity at the primaries despite the alleged consensus arrangement.
The growing tension within the ruling APC, which has already led to the defection of the member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, Alex Egbona, as well as former state chairman of the party, Alphonsus Eba, to the Peoples Democratic Party, is coming amid appeals by President Bola Tinubu for party leaders and members to avoid actions capable of destabilising the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tinubu had urged party members and aspirants to maintain unity and sportsmanship as the APC commenced its nationwide primaries.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President warned against rancour, do or die politics and actions capable of destabilising the party, stressing that internal conflicts would only benefit the opposition.
He advised winners not to gloat and urged losers to accept defeat gracefully while preparing for future opportunities. Tinubu also encouraged the adoption of consensus candidates where possible to reduce tension among party members.
The President further directed governors and party leaders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants and appealed to aggrieved members to seek redress through party mechanisms rather than disrupt the process.
He also called for greater inclusion of women and youths in the primaries and cautioned security agencies to remain professional and limit their role to maintaining peace during the exercise.
The APC primaries began with the House of Representatives contests and are expected to continue until the presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026.
