A frontline aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election held last Saturday in Cross River State, Hon Ekpo Mkpanam Obo-Bassey, has called on the losers of the election and their supporters to demonstrate the virtues of true democrats by accepting defeat without bitterness or resentment.
Hon Obo-Bassey, a former member of the State House of Assembly who represented Biase Constituency from 2003 to 2011, made the appeal over the weekend in reaction to the outcome of the exercise. The winner of the primary election was Hon Ngim Okpo, a former member of the State House of Assembly and current Director General of the State Border Commission.
The primary election was conducted across all political wards in Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency. Hon Ngim Okpo defeated four other contestants and was ratified as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Obo-Bassey recalled the formation of the APC and the ideals upon which the party was built, emphasizing that members must preserve the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness that has sustained the party through previous election cycles.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed on the firm principles of progressive politics, consensus democracy, and personal devotion and sacrifice. This principle of selflessness and devotion has seen us go through each election cycle and come out firmer together. We must consolidate on it as we go into the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Obo-Bassey urged the contenders to demonstrate genuine sportsmanship by accepting the results. He stated: “In every competition, someone has to win and someone has to lose, but those who lost should not abandon the party or lose their enthusiasm for the advancement of the party. In politics, there is always another opportunity, sometimes better than the present. Hence, don’t lose hope permanently because tomorrow could present another prospect.”
He stressed that the objective is to have a strong party capable of defeating all other political parties in the 2027 polls. “This is the time to build structures around to ensure we deliver our candidate. We should therefore work together for the success of the APC despite the defeat. A house divided among itself cannot stand. The APC is our home and we cannot burn it down,” he added.
He also urged Hon Ngim Okpo to be magnanimous in victory, noting that his emergence should be seen as a public trust for a better Cross River State.
