Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Cross River South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections. The incumbent senator was affirmed unopposed during the party's senatorial primary held in Calabar, following a direct primary system where he was the sole aspirant. Ekpenyong became the only candidate after former three-term House of Representatives member, Hon. Daniel Asuquo, who represented Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, was allegedly disqualified by the national screening committee of the party.
Although the official result was yet to be announced by the Returning Officer at the time of filing this report, Ekpenyong secured affirmation votes from delegates and party members across all wards in the seven local government areas that constitute Cross River South Senatorial District. The election was peaceful and transparent.
APC chieftains who spoke during the election described Ekpenyong's emergence as a sign of peaceful coexistence and unity among party members in the area. One chieftain stated, "Cross River South is like one big political family, and that is why our primary elections have been peaceful and successful. We congratulate Senator Ekpenyong on his emergence and wish him success in the general elections."
Cross River Central District Faces Challenges
In Cross River Central Senatorial District, the situation was markedly different. Party members waited for hours in their wards to vote, but election materials had not arrived at polling units as of 3 PM. Confusion ensued following a document trending on social media, allegedly released by the APC National Screening Committee, purportedly disqualifying Mr. Oden Ewa, another aspirant for the ticket.
Speaking with journalists, the incumbent Senator representing Cross River Central, Eteng Williams, dismissed reports that he had withdrawn from the race. He insisted he remains a candidate for the APC and is seeking a second term in 2027. Williams said the claims circulating in Cross River State that he had "chickened out" of the contest were false. Speaking on Monday at Mkpani in Yakurr Local Government Area, he expressed confidence in securing the party's ticket and winning the general election. "I'm sure of winning the elections in the final analysis; nothing can stop me from winning," he said. He added that he had carried out extensive consultations and received assurances of support from his constituents, emphasizing that the backing he enjoys is visible and public, not confined to closed-door meetings. Williams described suggestions that he had stepped down as "laughable."
Cross River North Primary Outcome
Although the result of the Cross River North Senatorial District was not officially announced at the time of filing this report, sources indicate that the incumbent senator, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who enjoys substantial support and a large following, also emerged as the winner. Jarigbe, a former House of Representatives member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and currently the Senator for Cross River North under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the APC only months before the party primaries. This followed a gentleman's agreement brokered between him and former Cross River governor, Senator Ben Ayade, by President Bola Tinubu, who was also an aspirant for the party ticket.
Implications for the Party
The primary in Cross River South reflects unity, internal consensus, and strong grassroots mobilization within the district. The peaceful atmosphere also underscores the level of acceptance enjoyed by the senatorial candidate within the party. However, for Cross River Central, the party risks an internal crisis and possible litigation if aggrieved aspirants are forced into a consensus arrangement. This could lead to legal battles that might ultimately leave the party without a senatorial candidate in the 2027 general elections.
