Cross River APC Elects New Executives as Key Figures Miss Congress

The All Progressives Congress in Cross River State on Tuesday elected a new state leadership at its congress in Calabar, with former House of Representatives member Chris Etta emerging as chairman by consensus, even as several prominent figures in the party were absent.

Among those not seen at the event were former governor Ben Ayade, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment John Owan-Enoh, and Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe. Alphonsus Eba, who was removed as state chairman in December 2025, was also absent. No official reason was given for their absence.

The exercise was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the U.J. Esuene Stadium but did not begin until about 8:00 p.m., when Governor Bassey Otu’s entourage arrived. Despite the delay, party delegates proceeded with the congress and affirmed the 36-member State Working Committee through a voice vote conducted by congress committee chairman Samuel Yarnap.

Patrick Okon emerged as consensus candidate for state secretary, while Ugana Lukpata emerged as deputy state chairman. Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Eteng Williams, representing the South and Central senatorial districts respectively, were present at the gathering.

Yarnap said the conduct of party members during the process showed calm and order, and he asked members to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu and Governor Otu. He described the state chapter as peaceful in the way it handled the congress.

In his remarks after his emergence, Etta said the new leadership would begin work immediately as preparations for future elections gather pace. He said the committee would remain open to ideas from members across the state and pledged to consult widely on major party decisions.

"We will serve diligently and consult widely on issues that concern the party," Etta said, while asking stakeholders to contribute ideas that would strengthen the APC in Cross River.

Governor Otu commended delegates for what he called peaceful conduct and congratulated the congress committee for concluding the process. He told the newly elected officials that managing people and party structures would demand discipline and fairness.

The governor urged the new officials to ensure justice in party affairs and said the chairman should use his experience to deepen unity in the state chapter. He added that the task before the team would be demanding, but said he believed they were capable of handling it.

The congress outcome reinforces the party’s decision to rely on consensus in filling key offices at state level, a method leaders said was aimed at reducing internal friction before the next major electoral cycle. Party stakeholders at the venue repeatedly described unity as the immediate priority.

For the new executive team, the first test will be balancing inclusion across blocs within the chapter while keeping members aligned behind shared targets. With major actors absent from the congress, reconciliation and outreach are expected to form a central part of the committee’s early work.