The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has declared that the northern senatorial seat is "not for sale" despite the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government's intensified efforts to gain control of the district ahead of the 2027 elections.

The declaration comes as the entire Cross River State government, led by APC, moved to the northern district to formally receive defecting House of Representatives member Peter Akpanke, who represents the Obudu/Bekwara/Obanliku (OBO) federal constituency.

PDP State Chairman Venatius Ikem claimed the APC government was "struggling in vain" as the northern senatorial district remains a PDP stronghold. Speaking in Obudu where APC stakeholders gathered to welcome Akpanke, Ikem stated, "What they are after is not the OBO Federal seat. They are after Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe's seat. But the north is saying loudly that it is a no-go area! PDP will win OBO and win the Senate seat."

PDP Claims Strong Support Despite Defection

Ikem, a former national publicity secretary of the PDP, further alleged that even many APC members secretly support Senator Jarigbe. "Forget what they say and the crowd they hire in the north. It's not magic. The people know who means well for them," he said.

"Our Senate seat in Cross River North is not for sale. It is non-negotiable," Ikem emphasized, adding that the APC's mission was "dead on arrival." He insisted that voters in Cross River north would base their decisions on performance track records rather than party affiliations.

"There is nothing on earth that will convince them to vote for APC senatorial candidate against Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe," he declared.

APC's Counter Strategy

Meanwhile, APC Chairman Alphonsus Eba expressed optimism about Akpanke's defection, describing it as "a big booster" for the party. He indicated that the project of taking over Cross River north was almost complete.

"If we fail to capture OBO, then we're completely finished. We must do all we can to consolidate and win OBO for APC," Eba stated.

Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu, added: "It's a shame that as a ruling party we still have pockets of resistance (opposition) in Cross River north."

The APC currently controls two senatorial districts in Cross River State, with the northern district remaining the only one under PDP influence.

The political tension between both parties continues to build as they position themselves for the upcoming 2027 elections, with control of the northern senatorial district emerging as a key battleground.

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