Tension has intensified within the All Progressives Congress ahead of today’s senatorial primaries for the Cross River Central Senatorial District, as rival political camps battle for control of the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Victoria Omini CALABAR
At the heart of the contest are the incumbent senator, Eteng Jonah Williams, and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Oden Ewa, who is reportedly enjoying the backing of Governor Bassey Otu and influential figures within the Calabar bloc of the party.
Sources within the party disclosed that while Williams is said to have the support of powerful interests in Abuja, including individuals within the Presidency, members of the National Assembly, APC governors, ministers and members of the party’s national leadership, forces loyal to the governor are determined to secure the ticket for Ewa.
Supporters of the move against Williams have reportedly accused the senator of underperformance. However, several party faithful and constituents dismissed the allegation as politically motivated and aimed at undermining his chances ahead of the primaries.
Concerns are also growing within the APC over what some stakeholders described as increasing attempts to impose preferred candidates across the state.
A party source alleged that the development has already sparked discontent among members, particularly serving federal lawmakers seeking return tickets.
According to the source, the member representing Ikom Boki Federal Constituency, Victor Abang, narrowly secured his ticket following last minute interventions by senior stakeholders.
Other lawmakers reportedly affected by the internal political struggle include Bassey Akiba, Emil Inyang, Mike Etaba and Godwin Offiono, who were all said to have lost out in the internal contest for party tickets.
The political future of Peter Akpanke also remains uncertain following the reported emergence of former Bekwarra Council Chairman, Theresa Ushie, from what party insiders described as a parallel primary election.
Sources further claimed that several prominent political figures, including members of the National Assembly, governors and a serving minister, had appealed to Governor Otu to reconsider his position on the Cross River Central contest in order to avert a crisis within the party.
According to insiders, the battle over the senatorial ticket may not be unconnected to wider political calculations ahead of the 2027 race for the Senate Presidency.
The source alleged that certain interests within the APC are working to weaken the political structure of Senate President Godswill Akpabio by sidelining politicians believed to be loyal to him, including Williams.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the APC has moved to centralize the collation and announcement of results from National Assembly primaries across the country in what observers described as an effort to reduce disputes and post primary controversies.
In a memo dated May 17, 2026 and addressed to chairmen of National Assembly Primary Election Committees, the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, directed that all results be transmitted to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja through approved channels.
The directive outlined a collation process involving ward, local government and constituency collation centres before final submission to the national secretariat.
The APC leadership also barred state level committees from independently briefing the media on the outcome of the primaries.
“Any official briefing, where necessary, shall be conducted exclusively in Abuja after the submission of all results,” the memo stated.
Political observers believe the directive is aimed at preventing conflicting declarations of winners and reducing the risk of litigation and internal disputes that often trail party primaries.
As political tension continues to rise across Cross River Central, stakeholders have warned that the outcome of the primaries could either strengthen unity within the APC or further deepen existing divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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