South-South Nations Debate Consensus

By Samuel Oyadongha, Egufe Yafugborhi, Emem Idio, Daniel Abia, Ochuko Akuopha & Emma Una

There appears to be an unusual calm in the APC’s South‑South wing after governors allegedly imposed candidates under the pretext of consensus candidacy.

Read Also: APC Tickets: Govs, aspirants at war over alleged imposition

Tension in Cross River over Otu’s anointed aspirants

Tensions are rising across Cross River’s three senatorial districts after a list was circulated that supposedly contains candidates chosen by Governor Bassey Otu for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

The dispute focuses mainly on the National Assembly list, where several incumbent House of Representatives members—most of them first‑term lawmakers—were reportedly omitted.

Those said to have been dropped include Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Paul Bassey of Calabar South/Bakassi/Akpabuyo Federal Constituency, Bassey Akiba of Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency, and Peter Akpanke of Obudu/Bekwara/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

Party sources claim that the governor inserted his son, Edem Bassey Edet, to replace Paul Bassey, while Eyoanwan Bassey Otu allegedly backed Stella Ekpo to replace Offiono. Another female aspirant, Ushie, was reportedly slated to replace Akpanke, and Calabar Municipality Chairman Samuel Anam was named to replace Akiba.

The development has caused unease among party members, supporters and political stakeholders, who fear it could deepen divisions within the ruling APC ahead of the elections.

Chief Anthony Okoh, a political figure in Yala, criticized the alleged arrangement, insisting that Offiono deserved another term.

“Offiono is doing well and cannot be replaced. The lady they want to replace him with was recently appointed as Cross River representative at the Federal Character Commission. Why should she resign to contest when the incumbent has not completed the expected tenure under the zoning tradition?” he queried.

Another stakeholder, Edem Johnson, warned the governor against actions that could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.

“If these candidates scale through, APC will face serious challenges during the election. Most of the current Reps members are performing and should be allowed a second tenure,” he said.

Mary Amicable also insisted that party members should decide through direct primaries where consensus fails.

“We will not allow anybody to impose candidates on us. The President has already directed that where consensus fails, primaries should hold. That is what we want,” she stated.

Bassey Akiba reacted, noting that APC guidelines provide for direct primaries when aspirants cannot reach consensus.

However, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Edem, defended the process, saying the governor, as the state party leader, remains central to party decisions.

In Bayelsa

Some APC members in Bayelsa, especially in the East Senatorial District, oppose consensus arrangements because they may disrupt the existing zoning and rotation system.

High Chief Olerua Salvation of Ogbia Local Government Area said: “We are here to say no to a second term. In Bayelsa East Senatorial District, we have a gentleman’s zoning formula that is existing in our area, and we don’t want somebody to come and spoil the peace we are having in our senatorial district.

“What we are saying as traditional leaders is that it is the turn of Brass Local Government Area to produce the next senator. Our father, Chief Melford Okilo, made this possible for the three local government areas to benefit. He had the capacity to serve a second term in 1999, but because of the love he has for his people, he left the seat for Brass, and the Brass people handed over to Nembe.

“Now, this period, we are hearing rumours upon rumours that the serving senator wants to come for a second term, and we are saying that he should not in any contest for a second tenure. We, the traditional leaders, join hands with the youths to say no to a second term.”

Quincy Mac‑Odo, youth leader and Convener of Bayelsa East Forum and former National Vice President of Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council, added: “As youth leaders of East Senatorial District, we have a stake. There is already an existing zoning formula from 1999 to date.

“We are here as youth leaders, women leaders, political groups and chiefs to say that the zoning formula that has existed before should be honoured. The zoning formula that has existed for so many years, which has produced seven senators, has kept the senatorial district in peace, unity and harmony.

“We don’t want someone who already knows the existing zoning formula to scuttle it because of personal ambition, we are saying no to a second term.”

Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Timila Austin, said: “Our demand is simple. Our demand is equity. Since time immemorial, our leader, Chief Melford Okilo, gave us the precedent of one tenure of four years in the Senate.

“There is no arrangement anywhere that there will be a second tenure. It has not been arranged anywhere. It is very simple: the current senator has done his term of four years, and it is now the turn of Brass Local Government Area.”

Some aspirants who were screened and cleared for the State House of Assembly welcomed the process and expressed optimism that the primaries will be credible.

Governor Douye Diri had earlier, during a State Executive Council meeting, urged politicians contesting any position to exercise restraint and pursue their ambitions within existing rules and the law. He also assured that no aspirant would be disenfranchised and called for respect for the zoning principle where it exists. In line with the APC directive, direct primaries will be held where consensus fails.

In Delta State

Social justice advocate and media consultant Austine Aghomi said: “Even the media knows better that what is going on in the APC does not pass for consensus building. It’s sheer imposition.

“Currently, the rule says that for consensus to be seen to have occurred, all aspirants seeking a particular ticket must, of their own free will, sign an agreement to that effect. If all do not concede, they go for direct primaries.

“Presently, what we see is the governor dictating who is allowed to buy nomination forms, who should be cleared or disqualified, even when you meet all nomination criteria. This is not consensus.”

An APC stalwart in Asaba asked: “Is any aspirant complaining? I am yet to hear one