Ayade, Minister, Jarigbe absent as Cross River APC elects new executives

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

Former governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade, John Owan-Enoh, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe, were conspicuously absent as the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) elected new executives on Tuesday.

Mr Alphonsus Eba, who was unceremoniously removed from office as APC chairman in December 2025 was also absent from the Congress.

The congress scheduled for 10 am did not start until 8 pm when the Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu’s entourage came into the U.J. Esuene Stadium where the congress took place.

Though no reason was given for their absence, the congress, however, had in attendance senators from the South and Central SSenatorial district of the state, Asuguo Ekpenyong and Eteng Williams respectively.

The congress saw the emergence of Mr Chris Etta, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the Cross River APC chairman of the party as a consensus candidate.

While Mr Patrick Okon emerged as a consensus candidate for the state secretary, Ugana Lukpata emerged as the deputy state chairman of APC in Cross River.

Chairman of the congress committee, Mr Sanuel Yarnap, called for the affirmation of the 36-member State Working Committee (SWC) through voice vote.

Yarnap described Cross River 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 Gov Bassey Otu as they seek to entrench good governance.

On his part, the newly elected chairman, Chris Etta, 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.

“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,” he appealed.

Meanwhile, Gov Otu commended the delegates for their peaceful conduct and also the committee for the success of the congesss.

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.

Otu 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.

“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,: he stated.

(NAN)