Leaders, stalwarts and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State have promised party faithful that the conduct of the party’s ward congresses in the state, particularly in the Odukpani Local Government Area, would be open, peaceful and credible.

The Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor on General Duties, Barr Ekpenyong Akiba, who spoke during a meeting with party faithful, stakeholders and leaders of the party at the campaign office of Governor Bassey Otu in Calabar on Thursday evening, said all hands are on deck to ensure successful congresses in the state.

Reports indicate that APC holds nationwide elective ward congresses on February 18, 2026, followed by Local Government Congresses on February 20, 2026, to elect new ward executives and delegates for the Local Government Congresses.

Akiba, who promised that the exercise would be open, peaceful and free from manipulation, called for the support and cooperation of members to make the exercise hitch–free, noting that the success of the local government and state congresses was largely dependent on the outcome of the ward congresses.

“We assure you of the commitment of the party to conduct transparent, peaceful ward congresses devoid of manipulation or imposition.

“We must put aside all differences and collectively work for the overall success of the exercise because our victory in 2027 begins with the party congresses,” Akiba said.

He charged party leaders and stakeholders to ensure that the outcome and integrity of the exercise were not compromised in their various wards.

He disclosed that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to ensure their safety and those of other party faithful during the exercise.

He said: “Party leaders and stakeholders, we want to assure you that the congress in Odukpani will be the most peaceful and transparent, and that we are prepared for the exercise.

“We want to assure you that all hands will be on deck to achieve a resounding success in the exercise and put enemies of the party to shame.

The chairman of Odukpani Local Government Council, Hon. Etim Asido, who spoke, commended the unity and peace in the Odukpani chapter of the APC.

He assured that the congresses in the local government area would be peaceful, transparent and credible.

He said that participation in the exercise was open only to APC card-carrying members, adding that every aspirant was entitled to their aspiration.

Asido said that he would ensure that every eligible aspirant who had met the guidelines and paid the nomination fee would collect their nomination form.

“We are going to make the exercise so fair and transparent, so that at the end of the day, everybody will be happy. We demand that you make the exercise easy for us.

“If we get it right, be sure we are winning Odukpani by 98 per cent of declared votes.

“But we must get it right, we must do what is right on this assignment. We call for your cooperation, and we will do it to the satisfaction of the majority of the party faithful”, he said.

The congress is expected to commence simultaneously in all the wards across the state and will be held at the respective ward party secretariats.