Austine Ibok defects to APC in Cross River, directing supporters across 196 wards and 18 LGAs to join the ruling party
African Democratic Congress chieftain and former Labour Party chairman in Cross River State, Austine Ibok, defected to the All Progressives Congress on Friday, September 18, 2026, and directed his supporters across the state’s 196 wards and 18 local government areas to join the ruling party.
Also read: Dickson Explains Why He Refused to Join APC
Ibok announced the move after consultations with his family, political associates and supporters, citing what he described as prevailing political realities and the interest of Cross River State.
The former opposition leader said his decision was also influenced by concerns over the internal workings of the ADC, particularly issues surrounding zoning and leadership decisions.
Ibok alleged that his former party lacked the cohesion, equity, justice, fairness and sincerity he expected from a political organisation.
His defection comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and political actors across the country repositioning themselves and strengthening their structures.
As part of his move, Ibok asked his supporters to collapse their existing political structures into the APC across all 18 local government areas of Cross River.
He said his decision to support the administration of Governor Bassey Otu was based on what he regarded as achievements in security, infrastructure and efforts to recover Cross River’s oil wells.
Ibok also pointed to the development of the Bakassi Deep Seaport Project as part of the reasons for his decision to align with the state government and the APC.
“Our support is driven by performance, political reality, and the collective desire to secure a brighter future for Cross River State through effective and purposeful governance,” Ibok said.
The defection adds another development to the evolving political landscape in Cross River as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Ibok previously served as chairman of the Labour Party in the state before becoming associated with the ADC.
His decision to leave the ADC and move to the APC is expected to realignments within Nigeria’s opposition parties, with political figures continuing to reassess their affiliations ahead of reshape the political structures of his supporters across the state, particularly at ward and local government levels.
Also read: Dickson Explains Why He Refused to Join APC
The development also comes amid wider realignments within Nigeria’s opposition parties, with political figures continuing to reassess their affiliations ahead of the next general elections.
