A former House of Representatives aspirant in Cross River State, Engineer Cyprian Oyom Igban, has announced his withdrawal of political support for Governor Bassey Edet Otu, citing unfulfilled commitments, political trust and concerns over development in Obubra Local Government Area.

 

Igban, a political stakeholder and former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made his position known in a statement dated October 20, 2026, in which he also reaffirmed his support for Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the forthcoming Cross River State governorship election.

 

In the statement titled “Why I Withdrew My Support from Governor Otu and Declared My Support for Arthur Jarvis,” Igban explained that his decision followed what he described as a prolonged period of disappointment over commitments he believed were made during Otu’s 2023 governorship campaign.

 

He recalled that he had strongly supported Otu’s ambition in 2023, committing his time, resources, relationships and political credibility to the campaign because he believed the governor would deliver meaningful development, political inclusion and new opportunities for Obubra and Cross River State.

 

According to him, Otu had publicly introduced him as a friend during a campaign visit to Obubra and appealed to residents to trust his leadership.

 

Igban said he accepted the responsibility in good faith, believing that the political relationship would translate into concrete benefits for the people of the area.

 

Among his expectations, he said, were efforts to address Obubra’s longstanding leadership vacuum, execute meaningful development projects, secure strategic political appointments for the area and provide him with an opportunity to contribute to the state administration.

 

However, the former APC chieftain expressed disappointment, claiming that more than three years after the election, many of the commitments, as he understood them, remained largely unfulfilled.

 

Igban Questions Government’s Development Claims in Obubra

Igban acknowledged that the state government had announced certain interventions but argued that governance should be assessed based on tangible achievements rather than political declarations.

 

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He specifically referenced the College of Agriculture in Obubra, arguing that the institution existed long before the current administration and that its restoration or redesignation should not be presented as the construction of a new institution.

 

“For me, the issue goes beyond projects and appointments. It concerns the credibility of political commitments, the value of trust and the responsibility of leadership to honour its word,” he stated.

 

He maintained that his decision was not motivated by personal bitterness, political hostility or dissatisfaction over the prospect of securing an appointment in the Otu administration.

 

Rather, he said it reflected his assessment of the commitments made, the expectations created and the realities he had experienced.

 

Backs Arthur Jarvis, PDP for 2027 Governorship Election

Following his withdrawal of support for Otu, Igban declared his backing for Arthur Jarvis Archibong and the PDP ahead of the next Cross River governorship election.

 

He described the decision as a political choice for which he was prepared to accept responsibility, just as he had taken responsibility for his support for Otu in 2023.

 

Igban also expressed gratitude for the political relationship he previously shared with the governor, but insisted that such history should not prevent him from making a different political decision.

 

“However, gratitude must not become an obligation to remain silent when one’s convictions have changed,” he said.

 

The political stakeholder stressed that although his political allegiance had changed, his commitment to the progress, dignity and future of Obubra remained unchanged.

 

His declaration marks a shift in his political alignment ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Cross River State, with Igban now publicly identifying with the PDP and its governorship aspirant, Arthur Jarvis Archibong.