The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has suffered a setback in Cross River State ahead of the 2027 governorship election as its deputy governorship candidate, Stella Charles Archibong, withdrew from the party’s ticket.
Archibong announced her decision in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Wednesday.
She declared her support for Governor Bassey Otu’s second-term ambition under the Back to South Movement.
Politics Nigeria reports that she attributed her decision to consultations with elders, family members, the Christian community and political stakeholders across the state.
The former NDC deputy governorship candidate said her responsibility to the state outweighed her personal political ambition, prompting her decision to align with the Otu administration.
“My responsibility to Cross River State is bigger than my individual ambition,” she said.
Archibong thanked the NDC state chairman, Goddy Akpama, the party’s governorship candidate, John Odey, and its national leadership for giving her the opportunity to contest on the party’s platform.
She also apologised to supporters who might be disappointed by her withdrawal, while appreciating them for their confidence and support.
Reacting to her exit, Odey described the development as surprising but appealed to party members and supporters to remain calm.
In a statement, he said the situation required maturity, mutual respect and responsible leadership.
“This development has come as a surprise. I believe that moments such as this call for calm, maturity, mutual respect, and responsible leadership,” he said.
Odey said he held Archibong in high regard and respected her contributions and commitment to the development of Cross River State.
He added that consultations were ongoing with party leaders, stakeholders and other concerned individuals to understand the circumstances surrounding her decision and determine the party’s next steps.
Despite the development, the NDC governorship candidate reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous, inclusive and economically productive state.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered heavy blow in Sokoto State, following the defection of six local government chairmen and three members of its State Executive Committee to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors were received into the ruling party by Faruku Labbo, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Political Matters.
Their defection was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by Abubakar Bawa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago said they dumped the PDP because of Governor Aliyu’s treatment of opposition members.
He claimed the governor had neither intimidated nor persecuted them despite their previous membership of the opposition party.
“The governor has never witch-hunted or intimidated any of us despite our previous political affiliation with the opposition party,” Mai Rago said.
He also cited the state government’s developmental projects as another reason for their decision to join the APC.
Those listed among the defectors include Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, a PDP executive member in Binji Local Government Area; Mohammed Yusuf, chairman in Kware; Altine Gudu, chairman in Gudu; Manir Tureta, chairman in Tureta; and Abubakar Ango Bodinga, chairman in Bodinga.
Others are Mu’awiyya Noma, chairman in Tangaza; Muntari Dan Dare, chairman in Silame; Bello Garba Iya, secretary in Sabon Birni; and Almustafa S. Tudu, secretary in Tambuwal.
The list also includes Balkisu Yusuf, PDP youth leader in Sokoto North; Naja’atu Buhari, the party’s state youth leader; Bilkisu Sidi, women leader in Waziri B Ward; and Sadiya Umar, Zawarawa women leader.
It further disclosed that members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders, alongside executives of the ADC Tudun Wada Ward, had also defected to the APC.