2027: 241 candidates jostle for 36 elective seats in C’River

A total of 241 candidates have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest 36 elective positions in Cross River State in the 2027 general elections.

Vanguard checks showed that the positions cover the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats.

INEC’s final list shows that eight candidates are vying for the governorship, 25 for the three senatorial seats, 63 for the eight House of Representatives seats and 145 for the 24 State House of Assembly seats.

Fourteen political parties are participating in the elections in the state, but only the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielded candidates for all the elective positions.

Of the 241 candidates, 198 are male, representing 82.2 per cent, while 43 are female, representing 17.8 per cent.

Calabar South State Constituency has the highest number of female contestants, with seven candidates.

The APC, African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) each fielded five female candidates.

The youngest candidate is 26-year-old Aboh Glady, who is contesting a State House of Assembly seat on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA).

The oldest are 69-year-old Asuquo Asuquo and Francis Ukpanyang, both of the Action Democratic Party (ADP). Asuquo is contesting for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, while Ukpanyang is seeking the Calabar South State Constituency seat.

Meanwhile, five members of the National Assembly representing Cross River failed to secure their parties’ tickets to seek re-election in 2027.

The state has 11 representatives at the National Assembly, made up of three senators and eight members of the House of Representatives, all elected on the platform of the ruling APC.

Two of the three senators secured APC tickets for the 2027 elections, while only three of the eight House of Representatives members seeking re-election succeeded.

The successful lawmakers are Joseph Bassey (Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi), Peter Akpanke(Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku) and Victor Abang (Ikom/Boki).

Those who lost their bids are Emil Inyang (Biase/Akamkpa), Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani), Godwin Offiono (Yala/Ogoja) and Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung).

Alex Egbona, who represented Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly before the APC primaries.