Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, is under pressure over the contest for the Cross River North senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) between his predecessor, Senator Ben Ayade, and incumbent Senator Agom Jarigbe.
The rivalry has intensified, with supporters of both camps clashing over why Ayade should return or why Jarigbe, who would be completing 12 years in the National Assembly in 2027, should continue.
The contest is testing Otu’s political strategy, especially as both contenders present contrasting fortunes.
Sources within the governor’s camp said the ‘Sweet Prince’, as he is popularly called, is relaxed and in no hurry to reveal his position.
An aide to the governor told THE WHISTLER that “the governor is not having sleepless nights about who takes the ticket. He will choose candidates he trusts and believes in taking into consideration some factors like fairness, justice and equal representation.”
Ayade on his part deferred to the governor while hosting Cross River delegates in Abuja for the APC National Convention, saying, “I have been there as a governor; I know what happens there. Nobody imposed any candidate on me.
“We all support the governor’s decision; whatever he says, we will abide by it.”
Ayade Divides Opinion But Leads Race
Ayade has not enjoyed the level of popular support expected of a former governor. After leaving office nearly three years ago, he disappeared from the political scene and only resurfaced in late 2025 in a manner that led to the removal of the then APC state chairman, Alphonsus Eba.
Eba had mobilised supporters and government workers for what he described as a welcome-back event for the former governor, which disrupted a crucial meeting involving government officials.
The incident sparked outrage and eventually led to his removal.
While Governor Otu and his aides did not oppose welcoming Ayade, they disapproved of the timing and manner of the event.
Another concern in Ayade’s camp, which Jarigbe’s supporters continue to highlight, centres on the former governor’s perceived lack of popularity.
They argue that, in a popularity contest, Ayade may struggle against Jarigbe, citing the 2023 senatorial election.
In that election, Jarigbe, then of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated Ayade, who contested as a sitting governor on the platform of the APC. Jarigbe polled 76,145 votes as an incumbent senator against Ayade’s 56,595.
But justifying why he lost as a sitting governor recently at his residence, Ayade said his actions during the election were in the interest of peace and to ensure the emergence of Governor Otu, despite what he described as a militarised process.
“I may have sustained some scars in the process of trying to deliver our family, but that is the duty of leadership. I took the pain,” he said.
“I knew the scale of the deployment. I knew the number of security personnel in my senatorial district – 254 armed policemen were with me – and I refused to allow them to move because it was too risky to approach the collation centres,” he stated.
However, another aide to the governor argued that Ayade has a better chance of securing Otu’s endorsement.
“Ayade stands a better chance of getting the governor’s backing. Without him, who had the power to choose his successor at the time, we might not be here.
“The governor, being who he is – someone who rewards loyalty – may look back and support Ayade, who is also an experienced lawmaker,” the aide added.
Recently, Ayade’s popularity has seen a resurgence, with former aides, including some in Otu’s cabinet, campaigning for his candidacy through social media and political meetings.
They argue that he deserves support for facilitating the emergence of the current administration and strengthening the APC in the state.
Another factor working in Ayade’s favour is his influence within the APC. Having joined the party over five years ago, he played a key role in producing a governor, senators, and members of the House of Representatives, thereby laying a foundation for the party in the state.
He is widely regarded as a key figure in the APC’s establishment in Cross River.
