Archibong Emerges PDP Governorship Candidate In Cross River
PDP Produces Governorship Candidate Ahead of 2027 Election
Archibong Secures Party Ticket
THE Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has selected businessman and university chancellor, Arthur Javis Archibong, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Archibong emerged during the party’s governorship primary held in Calabar on Sunday, where party leaders and stakeholders rallied support around his candidacy.
The PDP candidate is expected to challenge incumbent Governor Bassey Otu in what political observers anticipate will be a closely watched governorship contest in the state.
Party Leaders Signal Internal Rebuilding
Former Deputy Governor Efiok Cobham and other senior party figures used the occasion to project confidence in the PDP’s recovery efforts after years of political setbacks in Cross River.
Addressing party members, Cobham said the PDP had overcome internal divisions and was gradually regaining organisational strength.
“Big names don’t win matches, good teams do. We are not going into this election because we want to go to elections; we are going into this election because we want to win,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the party’s previous difficulties, saying, “We have haemorrhaged enough, but we have stopped haemorrhaging. We have started living again and very soon we will grow.”
Archibong Calls for Unity
In his acceptance speech, Archibong thanked party leaders and delegates for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged readiness for the political contest ahead while urging party members to remain united and committed to peace.
Political analysts say the emergence of Archibong signals the PDP’s attempt to reposition itself as a competitive opposition force ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Cross River State.
