Young Political Turks In Cross River State To Watch Out For In 2027

By Kammonke Abam

As 2027 fast approaches, the political climate is gradually building to a crescendo with gladiators and their supporters taking positions for the battle encore in the different states of the federation.

Interestingly, in Cross River State, there is an emergence of new actors and a sprinkle of fairly old ones in the political leadership scene of the State who seem to decide the direction that the political ship of the state is headed.

The following are some of the most prominent young people currently shaping or likely to shape the politics of Cross River State especially as we approach 2027.

Peter Odey

His carriage, calm mien, intelligence, and above all, his fierce loyalty to his principal casts him as a young man with nobility of character. The youthful and amiable Rt. Hon. Peter Odey is the no. 2 man in Cross River State. He is an astute young man who has shown an impressive sense of maturity right from when he was in the House of Assembly where he served for two terms, becoming the Majority Leader of the 25-member House in his second term, from 2019 to 2013. A man with a quiet demeanour, HE Odey’s political sagacity coupled with his leadership acumen and team spirit may have earned him the deputy governorship. Of course, this is without disregard for other political variables including geo-political considerations. So far, he has discharged his responsibilities as Deputy Governor to Governor Otu so remarkably, winning the confidence of Otu to the admiration of everyone. He will surely call the shots in some respects in the northern senatorial district in 2027, although he has the political machinery of Senator Jarigbe to contend with. However, as a suave and deft tactician, he will likely deploy the goodwill of being the No. 2 man in the state to his full advantage.

Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

Dubbed the People’s Senator, and King of the Boys, in some quarters, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe is the political “garrison commander” of the northern senatorial district, a district with an outspoken political generation which has dubbed itself as the “unconquered generation”. He has proved political book makers wrong, especially those who thought he was a flash in the pan politician who may not be able to hold his forte when he first went to the Senate in a by-election to fill the yawning gap left by the demise of Rose Oko. By the 2023 elections, he trounced the incumbent governor of the state, Ben Ayade, who sought to return to the Senate after his tenure as governor. Reports show that he is putting smiles on the faces of his constituents with myriads of projects scattered across the senatorial district. Although the only PDP member representing Cross River State in National Assembly, he is working very cordially with his colleagues to give his senatorial district and the state the needed legislative leadership. He is likely to continue to hold sway in the politics of his senatorial district.

Daniel Asuquo Popularly known as Dansuki, Daniel Asuquo is a grassroots politician with a massive support base in his Akamkpa local government area where he served as Chairman of Council in 1999. In 2011, he represented Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency for three terms, leaving there to run for the governorship primaries of the PDP in the 2023 elections. He lost the primaries and later ran for the senate seat of the Southern Senatorial District on the platform of Labour Party but lost to Asuquo Ekpenyong. Despite the loss, he still wields a lot of political influence as can be seen in the situation that saw one of his closest political followers emerging as the Chairman of Akamkpa LGA in the last local government elections in the state. Dansuki would certainly influence a lot of political outcomes not only in Akamkpa but also in the State in 2027.

Emmanuel Ironbar Emmanuel Ironbar is the Chief of Staff to Governor Otu. Before his appointment, he served as one of the longest serving and indeed, one of the closest aides to Otu in the last two decades of Otu’s political foray. He is fiercely loyal to Otu and that is why his emergence as Chief of Staff to Otu was greeted with a lot of applause from those who have known their long relationship. As CoS, he has made his presence felt politically as he is reported to have had his hands in virtually all the key political appointments made by Otu since assuming office as governor. Ironbar is said to command a lot of followership across the State as those lobbying for political appointments troop his office daily to seek his blessings. His position is central to the politics of the State as 2027 draws near. Already, close watchers say he, the governor, and a few other political allies of the governor are on the drawing board, mapping out strategies for the governor’s re-election and also determining who gets what and how in 2027.

Asuquo ‘Suki’ Ekpenyong Jnr

A protege of the famous business mogul, Asuquo Ekpenyong Snr, who runs a business dynasty, perhaps the largest in Cross River State, Suki, is said to be the youngest senator at 40 in the current senate. He will be 40, September 25, 2025. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in the Ayade-led administration for about seven years, resigning to contest for the senate position in 2023. He is the Chairman of Niger Delta Committee and has so far recorded ground breaking delivery of dividends to his constituents. His popularity is upbeat across all the local governments that make up Southern Senatorial District.

Eteng Jonah Williams

If there is one politician in Cross River State that enjoys providential favour, it’s Senator Eteng Jonah Williams. Providence has smiled broadly on him to the extent that he has not lost an election since joining the political fray and running for the State House of Assembly in Yakurr 2 constituency in 2011. Some may argue that he climbed on the shoulders of some his former political masters, and that’s really the providential favour. He was catapulted to the Senate from his previous job as the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, the first in the history of Cross River State to be so jump-started. Other previous Speakers of the Assembly tried their luck but none succeeded. He is the chair of the juicy Upstream Committee in the Senate. He comes as an underdog who, however, springs surprises to the chagrin of his opponents. As Senator, he is strengthening his hold on Central Senatorial District by putting his men in strategic positions while also delivering on his promises. Jones is currently locked in a battle to save his senate seat in his Central Senatorial District with many other gladiators eyeing the plump job.

Oden Ewa Jr.

Oden Ewa Jr. is obviously the star boy in the Governor Otu’s administration. He is a fresh breath in the Cross River State political firmament. As Commissioner for Special Duties, his footprints seem to be everywhere the good works of Governor Otu are. From the new State Library Complex to some of the yet to be unveiled signature projects of Governor Otu, Oden Ewa’s presence can very much be felt there. A critical thinker with the speed of light combining with the rare ability of clinical finishing in delivery, Oden sure is an invaluable member of Governor Otu’s strategic development team. His footprints of benignity are everywhere in the State, especially in the Central Senatorial District where he comes from. He’s set up a Foundation through which he reaches out to the vulnerable. He’s been rumored to have interest in running for the Central Senatorial District office in 2027, news that seem to be causing jitters to other contenders in the senatorial district. Although very young, Oden is sufficiently exposed to both the corporate world as he does high level business nationally and internationally as well as having robust political contacts in Abuja.

Cyril James Omini

He is a force to reckon with in the State House of Assembly. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, he is even more powerful and the dread of MDAs who appear before his Committee to defend their budgetary proposals. He is also said to be very close to the first family and quite politically networked both in the state and nationally. He is obviously one of the best performing Assembly members both in the chambers and in his stewardship to his Yakurr I State Constituency. He has, within the short time he has represented that constituency, redefined representation in the manner he facilitated transformational development in human, material, and project resources. He has swiftly cornered a huge chunk of the political capital of not only Ugep but also Yakurr local government areas, working closely with Eteng Williams. He is said to have played a critical role in the emergence of the current local government chairman. With his strategic and deft moves so far, he is a young man to watch in the politics of Cross River State for a long time to come.

Godwin Offionor

He and Senator Jarigbe are the legislative arrow heads of the Ogoja State Movement. Highly cerebral and very articulate, Offionor is carrying the banner of excellent representation of his people. Extremely unassuming but strategic, he has secured huge political dividends for his federal constituency, making him the darling of his constituents. The people of his constituency hold him in high regard for his legislative acumen and sense of propriety. Representative Offionor works hand in glove with Jarigbe and his colleague in Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku federal constituency, Peter Akpanke, to tighten their grip on the politics of the northern senatorial district. In spite of the fact that the APC Chairman in the State is from Yala, Offionor, through his excellent leadership, is likely to have less opposition in not only returning to the federal house, but he is also likely to pull some more surprises in areas where his electoral base was weak in the 2023 elections.

Mike Etaba

This three-term member of House of Representatives is an enigma. Coming completely from no political background prior to 2015, Mike, whose only testimonial then was that he plays in the downstream sector of oil and gas, has consistently surprised everyone with how he has navigated the politics of Obubra and Etung, remaining in power, breaking the jinx of political representation in Obubra, and shaping the political contour of his federal constituency. The ever smiling and unassuming young leader will certainly contribute in no small way in shaping the political landscape in 2027 in his federal constituency.

Betta Edu

She is the enfant terrible of Cross River State politics. Like a political hurricane, she took the state by storm. Within the span of ten years of active partisan politics, she’s been a Special Adviser, a Commissioner, elected Women’s Leader of a ruling political party, Member of the Federal Executive Council and Minister of the Federal Republic; all these accomplishments under 40. She got embroiled in what looks like high-wired politically-motivated set up to kick her out of power and cut her to size. A strategic thinker, she is currently in the cooler, using this period of détente to plan her come back strategy to mainstream politics. She’s likely to spring a big surprise in 2027, drawing strength from her rich Abuja network. She has all of these under raps.

John Ifere

John Ifere sprang a surprise at the 2023 National Assembly elections in Yakurr-Abi Federal Constituency, sending jitters to the more established candidates. It took a lot of horse trading for the results not to be in his favor. He ran on the platform of the Labour Party. He’s said to be into oil and gas, shipping, and real estate. He is also said to be putting up a prime estate in Calabar with swimming pool in each apartment and BQs for outright sale. He has an extensive grassroots network of political operatives and associates which he has been consistently oiling in the last two years.

Yibala Inyang Popularly known as Dombra, Yibala’s rise to the politics of Cross River State in this dispensation is meteoric. First, he clinched the chairmanship of Yakurr which was keenly contested for by a legion of political heavyweights backed up by a well-oiled political machinery, and then further established his foothold as the Chairman of Chairmen in Cross River State. Not exactly a neophyte, he is leveraging these two strategic positions to engage with stakeholders nationally. In close liaison with the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Eteng Jones, and House of Assembly member for Yakurr 1, Cyril James, Igri is working hard to slice the Yakurr political cake reasonably for 2027.

Michael Odere

He is a brilliant and forward-looking young man who was tutored and mentored in leadership by the unassailable clergyman, John Iyoha, his boss for many years in First Bank, where Michael served outstandingly before venturing into politics. His influence cannot be overstated. He is unassuming but extremely smart. Working very closely with the deputy governor, and some other political heavyweights, Michael would certainly play a critical role in processes leading to 2027.

Hilary Bisong

Deep-pocketed and having well-oiled contacts and a supportive family base with his mother serving as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Hilary Bisong is a force to reckon with both in the State House of Assembly, where he took a shot at the leadership in 2023 but failed to clinch it. He is a third-term member and high ranking official in the House.

The bold and courageous young politician has been in the fray right from the Liyel Imoke administration where he served as a Personal Assistant in charge of Students Affairs. He is in constant touch with his Boki base and is doing everything to maintain his control of the politics of that local government said to be the second biggest in the state. He cannot be wished away as we count down to 2027.

Alphonsus Eba

The Cicero of Cross River APC, he is an extremely gifted talker whose power of persuasion and administrative acumen has stood him out as a survivor in political party administration . How do you describe a young man that chaired two major parties in a rare cross over move that was marked with series of quandaries if not a political avatar. Whether through god-father induced or just a mere chance game, Eba has made history as the first man in the politics of Cross River State to chair two major contending political parties simultaneously and back-to-back. He’s survived series of political upheavals meant to upstage him and he’s still waxing strong. As State Chairman of the ruling party in the State, his influence will be felt in the choice of party flag bearers in the 18 local government areas.

Mary Ekpere

Mary is an astute politician who has a strong base in her Ikom local government area as well as a powerful political network in Abuja. She is highly connected in the political circles in Abuja, earning her a plump appointment in 2017 as the Director General of National Commission for Women Development, NCWD. A lawyer and farmer, she made a bid to become the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District but didn’t make it. She was the only woman in the race and she put up a dogged and heroic fight. She is a representative of South-South women on the board of trustees of the APC. Regarding 2027, she is certainly going to be a force to reckon with in the politics of Central Senatorial District.

Pius Ankpo Edet

Pius Ankpo Edet is a rising political meteor from Akamkpa. He is the Commissioner for Works. He leads the Governor Otu’s administration’s infrastructural development and construction drive. In Akamkpa where he comes from, he is seen as the symbol of inspiration and hope of the teeming youths there on account of the intriguing emergence into political limelight. A lot of the young people are rallying around him to build a strong grassroots support base. By this, he will certainly have strong voice in Akamkpa in 2027

Mesembe Otu

He is one unassuming but very powerful man in the politics of Cross River State, at least, for as long as his elder brother, Cross River Governor, Prince Bassey Otu is on the saddle. Already, he is quietly but resoundingly pulling his weight in political circles in the state. Although a federal civil servant, he subtly pulls the required strings when inevitable. His political capital is rooted in being the younger brother of the governor. Such sibling advantage well positions him as one of the persons who may be to influence where the political pendulum swings to, in 2027.