Fresh controversy has emerged over claims by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Mr Peter Odey, that all disputes surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidacy for Cross River Central Senatorial District have been resolved.
In a statement issued on Monday, Odey disclosed that a meeting convened at his residence at the instance of Governor Bassey Otu had settled the disagreement over the party's senatorial ticket and that all pending court cases had been withdrawn.
The deputy governor also called on party supporters in the district to rally behind the APC candidate, Hon. Oden Ewa, ahead of the forthcoming election.
However, an authoritative sources close to the reconciliation process have dismissed the claims, insisting that discussions are still at an early stage and that the legal battle involving Senator Eteng Jonah Williams remains before the court.
The sources maintained that the peace initiative merely resulted in an initial meeting between the parties and that no final agreement had been reached on the contentious issue.
They further clarified that no photographs were taken during the meeting, contrary to impressions created by images circulating on social media.
Investigations revealed that the case instituted by Senator Eteng Williams challenging the outcome of the disputed APC senatorial primary in Cross River Central, is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to the sources, the senator has no intention of withdrawing the suit.
A die-hard member of Eteng For 2027, who simply have his name as Comrade Emmanuel Ikpi, in a telephone interview on Monday night, said: "The process that purportedly produced Oden Ewa as the APC flag bearer cannot withstand the provisions of the law and the amended Electoral Act. The hurried circulation of what we consider fabricated statements alleging that Senator Eteng has withdrawn the case amounts to propaganda and emotional blackmail.
"We are aware of the huge sums allegedly spent to legitimise the imposition of candidates. The seeds of discord and acrimony sown within the party during the primaries have continued to fuel internal divisions, which may worsen if not properly addressed,"
According to Ikpi, "Senator Williams was urged to withdraw all court cases arising from the primary election, adding that the Senator merely promised to consider the request and revert to his supporters.
"Shortly after the meeting, we were surprised to see reports on social media suggesting that the matter had been resolved and that the court cases had been withdrawn."
Further findings revealed that the photograph being circulated in connection with the meeting was taken in 2025 and bears no relationship to the latest reconciliation efforts.
The development comes amid heightened political interest in the APC's senatorial ticket for Cross River Central, with party stakeholders expressing divergent views over the matter.
With the latest turn of events, efforts to achieve a lasting resolution appear to have stalled, as a reliable source close to Senator Eteng revealed that remains determined to pursue the matter to conclusion despite what his supporters describe as attempts at blackmail.
Meanwhile, some Eteng supporters, who spoke to our reporter are piqued at the discreet moves to deny the Senator second term ticket, saying the ongoing development to negotiate away the mandate is unacceptable.
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