Ukorebi Esien | October 17, 2026
CALABAR — Fresh political tension may be brewing within the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a meeting between 11 members of the State House of Assembly and leaders of *Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria*, a political support movement advocating the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The lawmakers, led by the House Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo, reportedly reaffirmed their support for President Tinubu but expressed reservations about extending the same level of political support to other APC candidates in Cross River State, including Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
The development comes amid controversy surrounding the party's ticket arrangements for the forthcoming elections,
The meeting, held at the national office of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, brought the lawmakers into discussions with Hon. Innocent Egede, the movement's National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation.
According to an account of the engagement, some of the legislators had hoped to secure APC tickets to pursue another term in the House of Assembly some members were said to be pursuing2nf term while others were pursuing3rd term or natuonal Assembly tickets. The reported disagreement over ticket arrangements has fuelled speculation about the extent of their willingness to support other candidates of the party.
During the engagement, Egede reportedly appealed to the lawmakers to reconsider their position and work collectively for APC candidates across Cross River State.
He emphasised party unity, strategic coordination and electoral synergy, warning that divisions among political stakeholders could undermine the party's overall performance at the polls and affect its presidential vote mobilisation in the state.
Egede also reiterated the movement's target of securing 600,000 votes for Tinubu in Cross River State, underscoring the need for a coordinated political structure capable of mobilising support across constituencies.
Following the meeting, Egede led the delegation to meet the movement's Director-General, Hon. Bala Ahmed, who also urged the lawmakers to align with the broader electoral objectives of the APC.
Ahmed reportedly pledged to integrate the legislators into the operational structure of the movement's national organisation, subject to the directive of Barr. Seyi Tinubu, identified as the movement's chief founder.
The proposed integration could provide another channel for engagement with the lawmakers, although it remains unclear whether it will lead to a resolution of the political differences surrounding the ticket arrangements.
However, Rt. Francis Asuquo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta, Leader and Deputy Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly respectively in separate Press Statements have rejected the description of the delegation as “aggrieved lawmakers”, insisting that their participation in the meeting should not be reduced to a narrative of disgruntled politicians.
Etta in his statement said the report was not only malicious but misleading and an attempt to create disunity within the APC family in Cross River State. Adding that he has no reason to be aggrieved after serving two terms in the House of Assembly.
Asuquo, on the other hand described the statement as disheartening and disappointing, Adding that he has no reason to be aggrived having been given opportunities to serve his people for a two term of 8 years and that he and Etta had in the said meeting corrected the impression that they were aggrieved.
But members didn't deny attending the meeting but said the meeting wasnt a convergence of aggrieved lawmakers but a meeting where they sought for opportunity to be integrated into the national structure of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria campaign organisation.
Their position introduces another dimension to the unfolding political conversation, with the lawmakers seeking to distinguish their engagement from the characterisation being attached to it
The rejection of the “aggrieved lawmakers” label by Asuquo and Etta is significant because it challenges the narrative through which the meeting has been interpreted.
Aside Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo who led the delegation, other members of the delegation were:
1. Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta — Deputy Leader, Abi State Constituency.
2. Hon. Egbe Abeng Egbe — Obubra II State Constituency.
3. Hon. Ovat Dickson Agbor — Obubra I State Constituency.
4. Hon. Ashakia Puis Ashaks — Obanliku State Constituency.
5. Hon. Victor Nsa — Calabar South II State Constituency.
6. Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey — Akpabuyo State Constituency.
7. Hon. Eyo Bassey — Bakassi State Constituency.
8. Hon. Okon Nyong Ewona — Akamkpa I State Constituency.
9. Hon. Mercy Akpama — Yakurr II State Constituency.
10. Hon. Kingsley Ntui — Etung State Constituency
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