By Kelvin Obambon
The OBIdient Movement (TOM) in Cross River has raised an alarm over an alleged plot to subvert the state’s long-standing governorship zoning agreement ahead of the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries.
In a media chat in Calabar on Friday, May 29, 2026, the group accused the state leadership of NDC of undermining internal democracy, lacking transparency, and compromising the objectivity of the national delegation sent to handle the process.
The movement expressed deep concern over the party’s handling of the governorship ticket, stating that the existing rotation arrangement, which favours the Southern Senatorial District, is actively being sabotaged.
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“The Zoning agreement in favour of the South Senatorial District of the state as concerns the governorship candidate is being maligned by the Party leadership,” the group said. “A Candidate from the Northern senatorial district is being allowed to present himself as a governorship aspirant against the existing zoning and rotation arrangement of the state existing since 1999.”
TOM further alleged that the party secretariat has completely shut out aspirants from critical information, leading to widespread suspicion that the upcoming primary elections may be compromised.
According to the group, the total breakdown of official communication has left members relying entirely on rumors and third-party speculations.
“There is no transparency concerning the forth-coming primaries. Most aspirants including the OBidients are not being carried along. There is zero communication from the party secretariat… Which leaves us to suspect that secret primaries are being held without the knowledge of both voters and aspirants.”
The movement also directly questioned the integrity of the NDC National Delegation assigned to the state, following a meeting held on Thursday. TOM claimed the committee arrived with a predetermined outcome rather than a fair, objective agenda.
“The National Delegation we met yesterday are not objective and seem not to be working in the best interest of the party and its Presidential Candidate. The Committee appears to have a set opinion and from their conduct they seem to have a preset agenda which leaves much to be desired.”
Warning that these developments have created deep-seated doubts and friction within the party ranks, the leadership of the movement called on the NDC National Leader and the general public to intervene immediately. They noted that urgent corrective measures are vital “to prevent unnecessary misfortunes to the party in the State.”
The statement was signed on behalf of The OBIdient Movement (TOM), Cross River State chapter, by Obonganwan Barbara Etim James, Hon. Engr. Bassey Ekefre, Kinie Bassey Willie, Chief Ray Ugba Morphy, Ngozi Ehendu, and Goodnews Umoh.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Cross River State NDC Secretariat for a reaction to these allegations were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
