There appears to be heightening concerns within the APC in Cross River State about possible revolution in the party, as the leadership is perceived not to be interested in engaging stakeholders from the state on the conduct of primaries ahead of the scheduled general elections.
While some party leaders are bold enough to speak out, many have chosen to remain anonymous, but expressing anger that neither the state governor nor the party leadership had shown readiness to show signs of transparency on how the primaries would be conducted.
Last week, a very revered business mogul who has recently been described as leader of the north, High Chief Higgins Peters, had raised the alarm about what has been perceived to be a grand plot to bring a candidate for the zone’s election through the backdoor.
In fact, he had alluded to the fact that the north would not accept any imposition of a senatorial candidate but that the people would sit and decide on who they would vote for in 2027.
Higgin’s public outcry was seen as an indirect reference to the aspiration of Prof Ben Ayade. A few days later, Peters was to clarify that the immediate past governor, Prof Ben Ayade would not return to the senate, a comment that has since attracted applause and condemnations online.
On the heels of the recent APC convention, Ayade, while hosting delegates from the state in his Abuja home, had created the impression that the governor, Senator Bassey Otu, had the right to give the party ticket to whoever he desired.
He made reference to how he used his office to give the governorship ticket to Otu and insinuated that the governor was indebted to him, having helped him to become governor. Peters saw his comments as a way of blackmailing the governor.
Before Peter’s declaration of the position of the north against imposition, a former presidential adviser, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, had urged the leadership of the party to be transparent in the handling of issues relating to party primaries in the state to avoid implosion.
On Wednesday, Obla again told TNN that it was surprising that the party was yet to summon a meeting of stakeholders for the purpose. He asked: “What is Cross River State APC waiting for before convening a strategic meeting to forge a resolution on the way forward regarding the nomination of candidates who will fly the Party’s flag in the 2027 general election?
“The Electoral Act 2026 has prescribed two methods for nominating candidates by political parties: consensus or primary election. Which of these options should we adopt in Cross River State APC to maintain internal cohesion, unity, and solidarity, while also preserving internal democracy and ensuring a level playing field for anyone aspiring to secure the Party’s ticket?
“The cloud is gathering—ominous and looming—and such strategic planning among stakeholders from all tendencies, wings, and blocs that coalesced to form the Party must come together in a convivial attempt to deliberate, discuss, and build consensus. This is necessary to close the widening gap and disagreements that are heating up the Party among supporters and aspirants alike.
“I call on the governor, the Leader of the Party and an experienced politician with solid years of parliamentary service founded on consensus building, dialogue, and negotiation, to take the initiative and convene such a strategic meeting, as has been successfully done in Ogun State, Lagos State, and several other APC States.”
