Prof. Ben Ayade, a former governor of Cross River State; John Owan-Enoh, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment; and Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe were conspicuously absent at the congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Alphonsus Eba, who was unceremoniously removed from office in December 2025, was also absent.
NAN reports that the congress scheduled for 10am did not start until 8pm when Governor Bassey Otu and his entourage arrived.
The congress took place at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
No reason was given for the absence of Ayade, Owan-Enoh, Agom-Jarigbe.
The congress had in attendance senators from the South and Central senatorial districts of the state: Asuguo Ekpenyong and Eteng Williams respectively.
The congress saw the emergence of Chris Etta, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the state chairman of the party as a consensus candidate.
While Patrick Okon emerged as a consensus candidate for the state secretary, Ugana Lukpata emerged as the deputy state chairman of the APC in Cross River State.
The Chairman of the congress committee, Sanuel Yarnap, called for the affirmation of the 36-member State Working Committee (SWC) through voice vote.
Yarnap described Cross River State as a home of peace, especially with the way the party members conducted themselves all through the congresses.
He solicited for continual support to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Otu as they seek to entrench good governance.
On his part, the newly elected chairman promised that the new SWC would hit the ground running as there was no time to waste since the general elections were close.
While noting that they were fortunate to have been chosen from among the people, Etta said the SWC is ready and willing to receive any ideas that would help move the APC forward in the state.
He said: “We promise to uphold the vision of the governor as it concerns the party’s progress.
“We also promise to uphold the vision of the governor in moving the party forward.
“We will serve diligently and consult widely on issues that concern the party.
“We also need your ideas to move the patty forward.”
Otu commended the delegates for their peaceful conduct and also the committee for the success of the congress.
He told the new SWC that it was not going to be a tea party, but expressed confidence that they were up to the task.
He advised them to ensure that justice reigned in the party, adding that the new chairman must use his wealth of experience to move the APC forward in Cross River State.
He said: “We only came to consolidate on the unity that exists among us and believe the whole world will see the unity, the progress, the quality, the structure of character, the wisdom, the knowledge that is in prosperity.
“However, managing human beings and managing parties is not easy.
“So it’s not going to be a tea party, but I know you are up to the task.”
