The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State has suffered a political setback following the defection of one of its founding members and financiers, Engineer Cyprian Oyom Igban, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Igban, a former House of Representatives aspirant and prominent grassroots mobiliser, announced his defection on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the PDP governorship campaign team’s consultative tour of Obubra Local Government Area.

 

He also declared his support for the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Dr Arthur Jarvis Archibong, his running mate, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, the party’s candidate for the Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, Hon. Okpechi Friday Gabriel, and other PDP candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Addressing supporters during the event, Igban reportedly expressed disappointment with the APC leadership, accusing the party of failing to fulfil promises made to its members and supporters.

 

The engineer, who played a role in building the APC’s political structure in Obubra, reportedly regretted his contributions to establishing the party’s leadership in the area, citing what he described as broken promises and deep dissatisfaction with the party’s direction.

 

He declared that the APC was politically dead in Obubra and pledged his commitment to the PDP, expressing confidence that Archibong would emerge as the next governor of Cross River State.

 

His defection comes as political parties intensify mobilisation and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with defections and shifting alliances expected to influence the political landscape across Cross River State.

 

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Who Is Engineer Cyprian Oyom Igban?

Engineer Cyprian Oyom Igban is a petroleum industry engineer and political figure from Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. He is known for his involvement in grassroots politics and his role as a founding member and financier of the APC in the area.

 

Born on August 22, 1973, in Obubra, Igban studied Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree before pursuing a career in the petroleum sector.

 

His political career spans several years, during which he contested for the Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives under different political platforms, including the AC, ACN and APC.

 

He also previously sought to lead the APC in Cross River State during the party’s restructuring and leadership congresses.

 

In the May 2026 APC primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, Igban was screened as an aspirant for the Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency seat. However, Dr. Blessing Egbara emerged as the party’s officially affirmed candidate for the constituency.

 

His decision to join the PDP and endorse its candidates represents a significant political development in Obubra, particularly given his history within the APC and his reported role in financing and building the party’s grassroots structure in the area.

 

With the 2027 elections approaching, the impact of Igban’s defection on the APC’s support base and the PDP’s electoral prospects in Obubra remains to be seen.