2027: Five NASS members lose return tickets in Cross River
Five serving members of the National Assembly from Cross River State have lost their bids to return to the Green and Red Chambers following the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC primaries for the Senate and House of Representatives were concluded between Saturday and Monday across the state.
Cross River currently has 11 lawmakers in the National Assembly, all elected on the platform of the APC. The state is represented by eight members in the House of Representatives and three senators representing the Southern, Central, and Northern senatorial districts.
While the three serving senators successfully secured the APC tickets for another term through affirmation processes, only three out of the eight House of Representatives members seeking re-election emerged victorious in their respective primaries.
Those who secured the party’s tickets are Joseph Bassey for Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency, Peter Akpanke for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, and Victor Abang for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.
Lawmakers who failed to secure the APC tickets include Emil Inyang of Biase/Akamkpa Federal Constituency, Bassey Akiba of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani, Godwin Offiono of Yala/Ogoja, and Mike Etaba of Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency.
Also, Alex Egbona, who represented Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency, had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly before the APC primaries.
The three senators representing the senatorial districts in the state all emerged victorious through affirmation and pledged renewed commitment to delivering democratic dividends to their constituents if re-elected in 2027.
Senator Eteng Williams of Cross River Central said he would continue to prioritise human capital development if returned to the Senate.
According to him, over 36 constituents have benefited from foreign scholarship opportunities facilitated within the last three years.
“I have sent over 36 people abroad to study. My priority is human capital development. That is why I am sending so many people abroad to study,” he said.
Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe of Cross River North also vowed to continue implementing people-oriented projects across the senatorial district if re-elected.
Similarly, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong of Cross River South said he would sustain his investment in youth development, infrastructure, and policies aimed at transforming the district.
(NAN)
