2023 polls: APC faces tough battle in Cross River

 

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State is determined to reclaim political power from the All Progressives Congress, APC, by March 11, 2023, even though leaders of the party also belong to different camps of the party at the national level. 

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But going by their determination and the seeming popularity of their candidate, and given lingering complaints from the people against Ayade’s administration, the party has consolidated its grip on the State.

It is for this reason that the ruling APC and Governor Benedict Ayade, a professor, is not leaving anything to chance.

Ayade deserted them (PDP) on May 20, 2021, to join the then struggling opposition party, APC.

As a result, structures in the APC were dramatically strengthened overnight and has become formidable since he is determined not to return to PDP.

Ayade had decamped from PDP because he was facing real heat from other stakeholders who alleged that he was becoming unduly dictatorial. They claimed that they were not allowed to have a say in the control of party structures.

As a result, they wrestled power out of Ayade’s hands and he felt frustrated.

Ayade moved with a sizable member of his cabinet, supporters and aides to APC, took over the control and it became the state ruling party.

APC, with state resources, resolved that it must retain, according to Barrister Alphonsus Eba, its chairman.

“With our political evangelism, we have realigned and united. We are formidable. We have worked harder to gain respect and love of the populace in the state.

“We have been able to change the status quo. We have been able to allow the majority of our people to be part of our government through massive appointments and job creations in our long list of factories. There is food on the table. Above all, for this election, our candidates have the most appeal to the people”, Eba said during a campaign.