Ukorebi Esien | April 29, 2026
CALABAR – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has unveiled a comprehensive set of criteria to guide the selection of candidates ahead of its forthcoming party primaries, in a move aimed at strengthening internal democracy and ensuring credible representation.
The guidelines were announced during the inauguration of the party’s Senatorial District Leadership Forum, a strategic body constituted to oversee consultations and build consensus across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of the APC stressed the urgency of the moment, noting that with elections approaching, the party must be deliberate in presenting candidates who possess integrity, competence, and broad-based acceptance among the electorate. He charged members of the newly inaugurated Forum to approach their responsibilities with diligence, fairness, and a strong sense of accountability.
“The future is in your hands,” the Chairman said, urging the Forum to prioritise electability, credibility, and service-driven leadership in their recommendations. He added that while party primaries are internal processes, the eventual candidates must be capable of inspiring public confidence and securing electoral victory.
Providing further insight into the selection framework, the State Party Secretary, Hon. Pst. Patrick Asikpo, outlined key benchmarks aspirants are expected to meet. These include adherence to zoning arrangements, demonstrable empathy towards community needs, strong grassroots engagement, and proven advocacy capacity. He also emphasised the importance of inclusivity, noting that aspirants must show commitment to the participation of women and youths in governance.
According to him, aspirants are required to maintain a visible presence within their constituencies, remain accessible to constituents, and demonstrate a track record of responsiveness to local concerns.
As part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of the process, the party listed several disqualifying factors, including involvement in political violence, electoral malpractice, cult-related activities, non-residency within constituencies, and any existing legal impediments.
The Senatorial District Leadership Forum, inaugurated at the event, is expected to play a central role in coordinating consultations and recommending consensus candidates where applicable. The Forum is chaired in the Southern District by Chief Barr. Eyo Nsa, with Chief Barr. Dominic Aqua Edem as Secretary; the Central District by Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, with Hon. Edema Irom as Secretary; and the Northern District by Ntufam Barr. Fidelis Ugbo, with Ntufam Peter Obie serving as Secretary.
In another development the party recently announced through it's state publicity secretary that all aspirants are required to remit their dues for a minimum period of three (3) years, as and when due. Aspirants making payments at the time of screening are required to include an additional fifty percent (50%) as a penalty for late payment.
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