By Jimoh Babatunde

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared former Cross River State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Oden Ewa, alongside seven other aspirants to participate in the party’s senatorial primaries scheduled to hold across the country today.
The clearance followed the screening exercise conducted by the party’s National Organising Secretary (NOS).
Ewa was cleared to contest the APC ticket for the Cross River Central Senatorial District alongside the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, who is seeking a third term in the Senate.
Political observers describe the contest in the Central Senatorial District as one of the keenly contested races in the state, with Ewa emerging as a strong challenger to the incumbent senator.
Supporters of the former commissioner have continued to project him as a candidate representing a fresh direction for the district, citing his experience in public service and contributions to development across the senatorial zone.
Ewa is also said to enjoy widespread support among party stakeholders, grassroots supporters and youth groups within the district, many of whom are calling for a new style of representation.
Meanwhile, other aspirants cleared by the APC for the senatorial primaries include Asuquo Ekpenyong for Cross River South, while Senator Jarigbe Agom, Adans Cecilia Omoniya, Dr. Johna Onyi Agba and Mary Ogoba Ekpere Eta were cleared for the Cross River North Senatorial District contest.
The APC primaries are expected to shape the party’s lineup ahead of the 2027 general elections.