No fewer than 241 candidates from different political parties have been approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to run for 36 elective positions in Cross River State during the 2027 general elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the positions include the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats.
According to INEC’s final list of candidates, there are eight candidates competing 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.
NAN reports that among the 241 candidates, 198 are males, making up 82.2 percent, while 43 are females, which is 17.8 percent.
Female Candidates
The Calabar South State Constituency has the highest number of female candidates, with seven women running for office.
NAN also highlights that the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) each have five female candidates in the upcoming elections.
NAN further points out that while 14 political parties are taking part in the elections in the state, only the APC, ADC, and NDC have candidates for all the elective positions.
Youngest and Oldest Candidates
The youngest candidate is 26-year-old Aboh Glady, who is contesting for the State House of Assembly seat with the Action Alliance (AA).
The oldest candidates are Asuquo Asuquo and Francis Ukpanyang, both aged 69, representing the Action Democratic Party (ADP). They are contesting for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency and Calabar South State Constituency, respectively.
National Assembly Members
It is important to remember that five members of the National Assembly (NASS) from Cross River did not get their party tickets to run for re-election in 2027.
Cross River has 11 representatives in the National Assembly, including three senators and eight members of the House of Representatives, all from the ruling APC.
Of the three senators, two secured the APC tickets for the 2027 elections, while only three out of the eight House of Representatives members seeking re-election managed to get their party's tickets.
The successful House of Representatives members are Joseph Bassey from Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency, Peter Akpanke from Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, and Victor Abang from Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.
Those who lost their bids for re-election include Emil Inyang from Biase/Akamkpa Federal Constituency, Bassey Akiba from Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Godwin Offiono from Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency, and Mike Etaba from Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency.
Finally, Alex Egbona, who represents Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency, switched to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just before the APC primaries.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇