Five serving members of the House of Representatives in Cross River State have failed to secure return tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the party’s primary elections held on Saturday.
The outcome of the primaries marked a major political shake-up within the ruling party in the state, with only three out of the eight serving lawmakers managing to retain their tickets.
Among those denied tickets is three-term lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, who represents the Etung/Obubra Federal Constituency. Also losing out is Rt. Hon. Alex Egbona, a two-term member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, as well as Hon. Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency. 
Others who failed to secure the APC ticket include Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency and Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency.
Political observers say the outcome signals a major realignment within the APC structure in Cross River State as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
However, three serving lawmakers were successful in their bids to return to the National Assembly. They are Hon. Peter Akpanke of Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, Hon. Joseph Bassey of Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency, and Hon. Victor Abang of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.
The APC candidates that emerged from the primaries are:
Ogoja/Yala – Dr Stella Odey-Ekpo
Akamkpa/Biase – Hon. Ngim Okpo
Boki/Ikom – Hon. Victor Abang
Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku (OBO) – Hon. Peter Akpanke
Etung/Obubra – Blessing Egbara
Abi/Yakurr – Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo
Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South (ABC) – Hon. Joseph Bassey
Odukpani/Calabar Municipality – Hon. Effefiong Nta Eke
The development is expected to trigger fresh political calculations across the affected constituencies, especially among supporters of the displaced lawmakers, many of whom had sought another term in office under the APC platform.
