2027: Why Jarigbe, Akpanke, Offiono May Lose Their Seats — Analyst Warns
Inyali argued that although the trio emerged victorious in free and fair elections, their tenure may be cut short due to....
2027: Why Jarigbe, Akpanke, Offiono May Lose Their Seats — Analyst Warns
Political uncertainty is looming over the future of three National Assembly members from Cross River North Senatorial District, all elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a political analyst warns they may lose their seats despite electoral victories.
Peter Inyali, a public affairs commentator, raised the alarm in a statement on Tuesday, expressing concern that Senator Jarigbe Agom, Hon. Peter Akpanke, and Hon. Godwin Offiono could be ousted through legal challenges arising from the ongoing crisis within the PDP.
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Inyali argued that although the trio emerged victorious in free and fair elections, their tenure may be cut short due to legal technicalities stemming from internal wrangling within the opposition party.
“Given the current state of the PDP, even if they win based on merit, they may lose their seats on technical grounds in court,” he said.
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Citing recent developments, Inyali referenced a media interview in which Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and PDP stalwart, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed that he advised a PDP candidate in Abuja to defect due to questions surrounding the party’s legitimacy to nominate candidates. Wike’s statement has added fuel to speculation that PDP’s internal divisions could invalidate candidacies nationwide.
The analyst also pointed to a wave of high-profile defections from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Rumors also swirl about other prominent figures like Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno considering a similar move.
“The collapse of the main opposition party may not surprise keen political observers, but the rapid pace of this decline is noteworthy,” Inyali noted, referencing Okowa’s recent statement on Arise TV suggesting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could also be exiting the PDP.
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Inyali urged the lawmakers from Cross River North to consider defecting to the ruling APC to secure their political future. He praised Governor Bassey Otu’s performance and suggested that aligning with the state’s leadership could yield greater benefits for both the lawmakers and their constituents.
“As a northern Cross Riverian, I believe it would serve our senatorial district better if they make the move. If they pull the North out of the tag as opposition headquarters of the state, they stand to gain much more,” he concluded.
With PDP’s internal crisis deepening and defections escalating, the future of its elected representatives remains increasingly uncertain ahead of the 2027 elections.
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