As a proud son of Ogoja, no one can question my deep-rooted commitment to my people or my love for our senatorial district. Yet, truth must be spoken unapologetically, even when it challenges popular sentiments. Equity, justice, and fair play demand that the senatorial ticket for Cross River North in the 2027 general elections rotates to Constituency Two – the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency.
Our Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey, hails from Ogoja. With this high office already secured for the zone, it would be inequitable and contrary to the spirit of rotational representation for Ogoja to also claim the Senate seat. Fairness dictates that power and opportunities circulate across the district’s components to foster unity, inclusiveness, and balanced development. Ogoja has had its significant share; now is the time for the other axis to produce the next senator.
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The incumbent Senator, Agom Jarigbe, having won a by-election in 2021 and secured re-election in 2023, is positioning for another term. While service is commendable, extending tenure indefinitely risks entrenching a culture of perpetual incumbency that has never defined Cross River North’s political history. Our zone has long thrived on fresh ideas, renewed vigor, and rotational leadership rather than prolonged occupation of any single seat. A fourth-term bid (counting the trajectory of continuous representation) would break from this established norm and undermine the very principles of equity that have sustained our democracy.
Cross River State urgently needs a ranking senator of proven capacity – one with the intellectual depth, national network, executive experience, and unassailable pedigree to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu in the fight for our state’s prosperity. That person, at this critical moment, is Senator Professor Benedict Bengiuoshuye Ayade, CON.
A former Senator for Cross River North (2011–2015), two-term Governor of the state, and a distinguished Professor of Microbiology, Ayade brings unmatched experience to the upper chamber. His visionary leadership transformed infrastructure, attracted investments, and elevated Cross River’s profile on the national and international stage.
As a ranking lawmaker with deep institutional knowledge of the Senate, he possesses the guts, influence, and strategic insight to effectively work with Governor Bassey Otu to champion the state’s interests – from securing our oil-producing status to driving sustainable development across all zones.
Governor Bassey Otu, himself a product of deliberate equity and fair play in the 2023 power shift, has demonstrated a commitment to justice and inclusive governance. I have no doubt that he will once again prioritize the greater good of Cross River State by supporting the right candidate for Senate in 2027. The path of rotational equity, respect for historical norms, and the imperative for high-caliber representation must guide our collective decision.
This is not about individuals or zones competing against one another, but about building a stronger, more united Cross River North that works harmoniously with the Governor for the benefit of all. Let fairness prevail.
Started by Chief Patrick Agbe, Ph.D., and developed by Philip Obin
