The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 241 candidates of various political parties to contest 36 elective positions in Cross River State. The positions comprise the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats. This development indicates a high level of interest in the 2027 general elections in the state. The candidates will compete for the available seats, which include the governorship seat, three senatorial seats, eight House of Representatives seats, and 24 State House of Assembly seats.
According to INEC’s final list of candidates, eight candidates are vying for the governorship seat, 25 for the three senatorial seats, 63 for the eight House of Representatives seats, and 145 for the 24 State House of Assembly seats. The high number of candidates for the State House of Assembly seats indicates a strong interest in grassroots politics. The candidates are from various political parties, with 14 parties participating in the elections in the state.
Out of the 241 candidates, 198 are males, representing 82.2 per cent, while 43 are females, representing 17.8 per cent. The Calabar South State Constituency has the highest number of female candidates, with seven female candidates contesting for the seat. This development indicates a growing interest of women in politics in the state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) each fielded five female candidates for the upcoming general election. This indicates a commitment by these parties to promoting gender equality in politics. The participation of women in the elections is expected to bring new perspectives and ideas to the political landscape of the state.
Although 14 political parties are participating in the elections in the state, only the APC, ADC, and NDC fielded candidates for all the elective positions. This indicates a strong presence of these parties in the state. The youngest candidate is 26-year-old Aboh Glady, who is contesting for the State House of Assembly seat on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA).
The oldest candidates are 69-year-old Asuquo Asuquo and Francis Ukpanyang, both of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), contesting for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency and Calabar South State Constituency, respectively. Five members of the National Assembly (NASS) representing Cross River failed to secure their parties’ tickets to seek re-election in 2027. This development indicates a significant change in the political landscape of the state.
Cross River has 11 representatives at the National Assembly, comprising three senators and eight House of Representatives members, all of them members of the ruling APC. Two of the three senators secured the APC tickets for the 2027 elections, while only three of the eight House of Representatives members seeking re-election succeeded in clinching their party’s tickets. The successful House of Representatives members are Joseph Bassey, Peter Akpanke, and Victor Abang.
Key points
- 241 candidates are contesting 36 elective positions in Cross River State.
- The All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, and Nigeria Democratic Congress each fielded five female candidates.
- Five members of the National Assembly representing Cross River failed to secure their parties’ tickets to seek re-election in 2027.
