2023 Cross River State gubernatorial election

The governor of Cross River State is elected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of state local government areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.

Cross River State is a diverse state in the South South with growing economy and vast natural areas but facing an underdeveloped yet vital agricultural sector, deforestation, and rising debt in large part due to years of systemic corruption.

Politically, the state's 2019 elections were categorized as a continuation of the PDP's control as Ayade won with over 73% of the vote and the party won every seat in the House of Assembly along with all three senate seats. However, the PDP did lose one House of Representatives seat to the APC and although the state was easily won by PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar, it still swung towards Buhari compared to 2015 and had lower turnout. In the interim between 2019 and 2023, the state's political landscape drastically changed as Ayade defecting to the APC in May 2021 set in motion a wave of other defections that gave the APC control of the House of Assembly and half of the eight House of Representatives seats by mid-2022.

Ahead of his second term, Ayade stated focuses included the completion of in-progress projects and industrialization;{{cite web |last1=Uchechukwu |first1=Ike |title=In this my second tenure I will no longer be the governor… – Ayade |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/in-this-my-second-tenure-i-will-no-longer-be-the-governor-ayade/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=16 March 2022}} however, he was routinely criticized for authoritarian-esque actions. Alarms were raised after Ayade's defection when he withheld the salaries of state and local officeholders that refused to defect with him and forcibly converted the state PDP secretariat into the new APC headquarters but the allegations of dictatorial actions were at their peak around his ordered arrests and months-long imprisonments of a critic and a journalist.{{cite web |last1=Edem |first1=Edem |title=Ayade stops salaries of aides, LG chairmen, others who refused to follow him to APC |url=https://dailypost.ng/2021/06/25/ayade-stops-salaries-of-aides-lg-chairmen-others-who-refused-to-follow-him-to-apc/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Okoro |first1=Judex |title=Criticism as Ayade, APC take over PDP secretariat in Calabar |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/criticism-as-ayade-apc-take-over-pdp-secretariat-in-calabar/ |website=The Sun |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, SEPTEMBER, 2019: Top 5, Bottom 5 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ranking-nigerian-governors-september-2019-top-5-bottom-5/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=16 March 2022 |quote=We note that he is gradually becoming notorious for vehemently rejecting dissent and criticism, a trait that threatens to dim whatever good work he may be doing in the South South state...Ayade should be disturbed, just as we are, that his instigated arrests of Agba Jalingo, now languishing in Calabar Prison for allegedly criticizing the governor and Joseph Odok, an indigene of Cross River State, have been thoroughly condemned as abuse of office.}}{{cite web |title=Nigerian publisher Agba Jalingo charged with treason |url=https://cpj.org/2019/09/nigerian-publisher-agba-jalingo-charged-with-treas/ |website=Committee to Protect Journalists |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Ukpong |first1=Cletus |title=Police arrest another critic of Gov. Ayade, accuse him of ‘terrorism’ |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/355126-police-arrest-another-critic-of-gov-ayade-accuse-him-of-terrorism.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=16 March 2022}} At other points during his administration, Ayade was given praise for allocating large parts of the budget to capital expenditures while receiving further criticism for covering up COVID-19 cases, abandoning in-progress projects for new potential white elephants like the Calas Vegas resort project and the new Obudu Airport, creating several new ministries and appointing dozens of aides, getting an unapproved foreign loan in secret without evidence of use for the money, and continuing efforts to build a six-lane superhighway through the ecologically vital Cross River National Park.{{cite web |title=RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, NOVEMBER, 2019: Top 5, Bottom 5 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ranking-nigerian-governors-november-2019-top-5-bottom-5/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=16 March 2022 |quote=We share the belief that the budget holds the promise of rapid infrastructure development and renewal in the state, only if it is faithfully implemented. Ayade’s bold move is better appreciated against the fact that even the Federal Government could merely manage just about 25 percent of the federal budget on capital expenditure.}}{{cite web |title=Cross River Doctors Accuse Governor Ayade Of Covering COVID-19 Cases, Declare Indefinite Strike |url=http://saharareporters.com/2020/07/06/cross-river-doctors-accuse-governor-ayade-covering-covid-19-cases-declare-indefinite |website=Sahara Reporters |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Ogar |first1=Cyril |title=N42bn Ayade’s Spaghetti Flyover Turns ‘Fish Pond’ |url=https://aljazirahnews.com/n42bn-ayades-spaghetti-flyover-turns-fish-pond/ |website=Al Jazirah News |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=Top 5, Bottom 5: RipplesNigeria ranking of Nigerian governors for August, 2020 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/top-5-bottom-5-ripplesnigeria-ranking-of-nigerian-governors-for-august-2020/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=16 March 2022 |quote=Ayade of Cross River State is one state governor known for his ostentatious dreams and fabulous aspirations and grandiose utterances...We note, with concern, that Calas Vegas, whose cost and completion date has not been stated or made known, may again become a white elephant project that will never see the light of the day}}{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Amid dwindling revenue, Ayade’s proposed Obudu airport stirs controversy, opposition mounts |url=https://punchng.com/amid-dwindling-revenue-ayades-proposed-obudu-airport-stirs-controversy-opposition-mounts/ |website=The Punch |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, DECEMBER 2019: Top 5, Bottom 5 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ranking-nigerian-governors-december-2019-top-5-bottom-5/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=16 March 2022 |quote=We also note with worry, the creation of new curious ministries by Governor Ayade, driving the number of ministries in the state to an unwieldy 39. We contend that the creation of the ministries...are unnecessary and an obvious duplication that will most definitely eat further into the finances of the state.}}{{cite web |title=RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, JANUARY, 2020: Top 5, Bottom 5 |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ranking-nigerian-governors-january-2020-top-5-bottom-5/ |website=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=16 March 2022 |quote=His inexplicable appointment of 90 aides at a time of economic hemorrhage is confounding. This is coming after the governor appointed 39 commissioners and created new ministries that were obviously duplications of others in functions, thereby exerting undue pressure on the lean resources of the state.}}{{cite web |last1=Simon |first1=Ekemini |title=Investigation into Cross River State Debt Misery: How N1.4bn illegal Foreign Loan cannot be accounted for |url=https://www.icirnigeria.org/investigation-into-cross-river-state-debt-misery-how-n1-4bn-illegal-foreign-loan-cannot-be-accounted-for/ |website=International Centre for Investigative Reporting |access-date=5 August 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Adeyemi |first1=Taiwo |title=Counting the Costs of Cross River State ‘Super Highway’ Road Project for the Tropical Rainforests and Eco-biodiversity |url=https://rainforestjournalismfund.org/stories/counting-costs-cross-river-state-super-highway-road-project-tropical-rainforests-and-eco |website=Rainforest Journalism Fund |access-date=16 March 2022}}

The primaries, along with any potential challenges to primary results, were to take place between 4 April and 3 June 2022 but the deadline was extended to 9 June.{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Dominic |title=Primaries: INEC Grants Parties Six Extra Days, Timetable Remains Unchanged |url=https://inecnews.com/primaries-inec-grants-parties-six-day-window-timetable-remains-unchanged/ |website=INEC News |access-date=28 May 2022}} An informal zoning gentlemen's agreement set the Cross River South Senatorial District to have the next governor as Cross River South has not held the governorship since 2007. Neither major party closed their primaries to non-South candidates, as both the APC and PDP had heated internal debates over zoning to the Southern district.{{cite web |last1=Babatunde |first1=Jimoh |title=2023: Cross River politics heat up as PDP’s national leadership endorses Sandy/Gershom ticket |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/2023-cross-river-politics-heats-up-as-pdps-national-leadership-endorses-sandy-gershom-ticket/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=7 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=2023: Zoning under threat as stakeholders kick in Cross River |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/2023-zoning-under-threat-as-stakeholders-kick-in-cross-river/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 October 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Nsa |title=2023 guber: The raging debate over zoning in Cross River |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-guber-the-raging-debate-over-zoning-in-cross-river/ |website=The Nation |access-date=23 November 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Okoro |first1=Judex |title=2023: Endless echoes of zoning dominate Cross River guber race |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/2023-endless-echoes-of-zoning-dominate-cross-river-guber-race/ |website=The Sun |access-date=15 April 2022 |location=Calabar |date=22 March 2022}} While the APC ended up nominating someone from the South, the PDP chose someone from the Central district.

Arguments over zoning divided the state APC ahead of the primary as Ayade publicly advocated for his successor to come from the South while prospective candidates from other regions like former Senator John Owan Enoh and former minister Usani Uguru Usani argued for the primary to be kept open.{{cite web |last1=Uchechukwu |first1=Ike |title=2023: Cross River APC stakeholders pick hole with Ayade’s Zoning formula |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/2023-cross-river-apc-stakeholders-pick-hole-with-ayades-zoning-formula/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=15 April 2022}} In April 2022, state party chairman Alphonsus Eba stated that the primary would be kept open to candidates from all parts of the state, insisting that Ayade's view was simply his personal opinion.{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=APC counters Gov Ayade, insists they’ve not zoned gov’ship to Cross River south |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/04/15/apc-counters-gov-ayade-insists-theyve-not-zoned-govship-to-cross-river-south/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=15 April 2022}} However, in early May, Eba announced a party committee to narrow the number of candidates from 17 to four—as two candidates were to be from the South and two candidates were to be from the Central, the party nomination was effectively zoned to the Central and Southern districts.{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=Ndoma-Egba heads committee to prune Cross River APC guber aspirants |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/ndoma-egba-heads-committee-to-prune-cross-river-apc-guber-aspirants/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=2023: 17 APC aspirants jostle for Ayade’s job |url=https://punchng.com/2023-17-apc-aspirants-jostle-for-ayades-job/ |website=The Punch |access-date=5 May 2022}} Though, this arrangement was also scrapped amid internal turmoil that led the party to choose a single informal "consensus" candidate—former Senator Bassey Otu.{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=Tension builds in Cross River APC over consensus arrangement |url=https://guardian.ng/news/tension-builds-in-cross-river-apc-over-consensus-arrangement/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=11 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Todo |first1=Tina Agosi |title=Cross River APC picks consensus candidate |url=https://guardian.ng/news/cross-river-apc-picks-consensus-candidate/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=11 May 2022}} However, fellow candidates Chris Agara and John Owan Enoh rejected the arrangement and continued their campaigns while Usani left the party to run under the PRP.{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=APC consensus arrangements in Cross River collapses |url=https://guardian.ng/news/apc-consensus-arrangements-in-cross-river-collapses/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=19 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Ex-minister dumps APC for PRP in Cross River |url=https://punchng.com/ex-minister-dumps-apc-for-prp-in-cross-river/ |website=The Punch |access-date=19 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=Why I left APC – Usani |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/05/19/why-i-left-apc-usani/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=20 May 2022}} The apparent final blow to the "consensus" arrangement was Otu's reported disqualification from contesting the primary as it was reported on 20 May that the APC screening panel barred Otu due to his questionable educational qualifications and a fraud conviction from 1987.{{cite web |last1=Akintade |first1=Adefemola |title=APC disqualifies ex-convict Sen. Bassey Otu over 1987 conviction |url=https://gazettengr.com/apc-disqualifies-ex-convict-sen-bassey-otu-over-1987-conviction/ |website=Peoples Gazette |access-date=20 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Olabimtan |first1=Bolanle |title=‘Questionable credentials’: APC panel disqualifies Otu, Ayade’s anointed guber candidate |url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-apc-panel-disqualifies-bassey-otu-ayades-anointed-guber-candidate-for-cross-river |website=TheCable |access-date=20 May 2022}} However, the panel announced that it had not disqualified Otu but preliminarily declared his case "inconclusive" due to the absence of certain credentials.{{cite web |title=Guber 2023: APC Screening Committee Clears Owan Eno And Chris Agara, Says Bassey Otu Clearance Is Inconclusive |url=https://crossriverwatch.com/2022/05/guber-2023-apc-screening-committee-clears-owan-eno-and-chris-agara-says-bassey-otu-clearance-is-inconclusive/ |website=Cross River Watch |access-date=23 May 2022}} Then the consensus arrangement received another lifeline as Owan Enoh withdrew and endorsed Otu.

{{Excerpt|2023 Abia State gubernatorial election|All Progressives Congress|paragraphs=2|hat=no}}

As the consensus arrangement reformed, a number of other candidates dropped out in favor of Oti leading to the primary day, when an indirect primary ended in Otu emerging as the APC nominee after results showed him winning over 84% of the delegates' votes. In his acceptance speech, Otu thanked the party and his former opponents while pledging to continue the work of the Ayade administration.{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Ex-lawmaker Bassey Otu wins Cross River APC gov ticket |url=https://punchng.com/ex-lawmaker-bassey-otu-wins-cross-river-apc-gov-ticket/ |website=The Punch |access-date=28 May 2022}} However, controversy emerged afterwards when Owan Enoh surprisingly reversed position and filed an appeal petition against Otu in reference to the dispute over his educational qualifications.{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=Confusion overwhelms C’River APC over parallel results, petition against guber candidate |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/05/28/confusion-overwhelms-criver-apc-over-parallel-results-petition-against-guber-candidate/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=29 May 2022}} Despite the ongoing lawsuit, Otu commenced a general election campaign which was dominated by the search for a running mate in the weeks after the primary, with party members desiring regional balance in the ticket.{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=Friction in Cross River APC over consensus on running mate |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/08/03/friction-in-cross-river-apc-over-consensus-on-running-mate/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=4 August 2022}} To achieve this balance, Peter Odey—MHA for Ogoja—was chosen as the deputy gubernatorial nominee on 9 August at an unveiling rally in Ogoja.{{cite web |last1=Odunsi |first1=Wale |title=APC’s Bassey Otu unveils Cross River Assembly leader, Peter Odey as deputy |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/08/09/apcs-bassey-otu-unveils-cross-river-assembly-leader-peter-odey-as-deputy/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=9 August 2022}} A Federal High Court ruling dismissed Owan Enoh's lawsuit in late October 2022 with Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu finding that primary candidate qualification screening was the purview of political parties.{{cite web |last1=Sunday |first1=Ochogwu |title=Court declares Otu APC guber candidate in Cross River |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/24/court-declares-otu-apc-guber-candidate-in-cross-river/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=25 October 2022}} Initially Owan Enoh appealed the ruling but he announced its withdrawal in December due to personal overtures from APC presidential nominee Bola Tinubu.{{cite web |title=Cross River Senator withdraws court case against APC |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/cross-river-senator-withdraws-court-case-against-apc/ |website=The Guardian |publisher=News Agency of Nigeria |access-date=28 December 2022}}

• Bassey Otu: 2019 APC Cross River South senatorial nominee, former Senator for Cross River South (2011–2015), and former House of Representatives member for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani (2003–2011)
• Running mate—Peter Odey: House of Assembly member for Ogoja

• Chris Agara: businessman

• Ben Akak: businessman{{cite web |last1=Edeme |first1=Victoria |title=2023: Cross River businessman declares for governorship |url=https://punchng.com/2023-cross-river-businessman-declares-for-governorship/ |website=The Punch |access-date=19 April 2022 |date=19 April 2022}}
• Asuquo Ekpenyong: Commissioner for Finance
• Bassey Ndem: former Commissioner for Lands
• Godswill Edward Osim: Governor Benedict Ayade aide and son-in-law of former President Goodluck Jonathan{{cite web |title=2023: Jonathan’s son-in-law joins Cross River governorship race under APC |url=https://punchng.com/2023-jonathans-son-in-law-joins-cross-river-governorship-race-under-apc/ |website=The Punch |publisher=News Agency of Nigeria |access-date=6 January 2022}}
• John Owan Enoh: former Senator for Cross River Central (2015–2019) and 2019 APC gubernatorial nominee{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Nsa |title=2023: Owan-Enoh joins Cross River governorship race |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-owan-enoh-joins-cross-river-governorship-race/ |website=The Nation |access-date=10 April 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Monday |first1=Ogar |title=Owan Enoh Withdraws From Governorship Race, Throws Weight Behind Prince Otu |url=https://crossriverwatch.com/2022/05/owan-enoh-withdraws-from-governorship-race-throws-weight-behind-prince-otu/ |website=Cross River Watch |access-date=23 May 2022}}
• Usani Uguru Usani: former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs (2015–2019), 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate, Cross River State APC Chairman (2014–2015), 2012 ACN gubernatorial nominee, and former commissioner (defected prior to the primary to successfully run in the PRP gubernatorial primary)

• Goddy Jedy Agba: Minister of State for Power (2019–present){{cite web |last1=Bassey |first1=Awassam |title=Ayade’s defection, PDP’s wisemen and 2023 guber polls |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/475097-ayades-defection-pdps-wisemen-and-2023-guber-polls-by-awassam-bassey.html |website=Premium Times |access-date=13 September 2021}}
• Okonkon Effiom: Commissioner for Rural Transformation
• Edem Effiom Ekong: Governor Ayade aide, former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, and former Commissioner for Lands
• Hilliard Eta: former National APC Vice Chairman{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Nsa |title=2023 Guber: Options before Cross River voters |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-guber-options-before-cross-river-voters/ |website=The Nation |access-date=15 April 2022 |location=Calabar |date=9 April 2022}}
• Eyo Etim Nyong: physician and former member of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission{{cite web |last1=Una |first1=Emma |title=War in Cross River APC over registration of new members |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/02/war-in-cross-river-apc-over-registration-of-new-members/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=7 July 2021}}

{{Pie chart

|caption=Candidates' vote share

|label1={{nowrap|Bassey Otu}}

|label2={{nowrap|John Owan Enoh}}

|label3={{nowrap|Chris Agara}}

|value1=84.66

|value2=8.77

|value3=6.58

|color1=#070900

|color2=#311e81

|color3=#00361b}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = APC primary results

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = {{nowrap|Bassey Otu}}

| party = All Progressives Congress

| votes = 811

| percentage = 84.65%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = {{nowrap|John Owan Enoh}} (withdrawn)

| party = All Progressives Congress

| votes = 84

| percentage = 8.77%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = {{nowrap|Chris Agara}}

| party = All Progressives Congress

| votes = 63

| percentage = 6.58%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 958

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box invalid no change

| votes = 1

| percentage = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

|votes = 959

|percentage = Unknown

}}

{{Election box end}}

Ahead of the primary, rumours that former Governor Donald Duke was attempting to impose Arthur Jarvis Archibong as the party nominee led to protests from other candidates. When Duke held a meeting to find an informal "consensus" Southern candidate in early May 2022, Archibong emerged as the choice leading to further accusations of imposition as other candidates rejected the arrangement.{{cite web |last1=Onwuzurumba |first1=Adaora |title=Cross River 2023: Crisis rocks PDP over governorship candidate |url=https://www.today.ng/news/politics/cross-river-2023-crisis-rocks-pdp-governorship-candidate-423785 |website=Today.ng |access-date=22 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=Why PDP may lose Cross River to APC, by stakeholders |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/why-pdp-may-lose-cross-river-to-apc-by-stakeholders/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 May 2022}}

{{Excerpt|2023 Adamawa State gubernatorial election|People's Democratic Party|paragraphs=1|hat=no}}

On the primary date, the election ended with Senator Sandy Ojang Onor emerging as the PDP nominee after results showed him winning by a margin of about 10%.{{cite web |title=2023: Senator Onor wins Cross River PDP governorship primary |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/532712-2023-senator-onor-wins-cross-river-pdp-governorship-primary.html |website=Premium Times |publisher=News Agency of Nigeria |access-date=29 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Senator wins PDP gov ticket in Cross River |url=https://punchng.com/senator-wins-pdp-gov-ticket-in-cross-river/ |website=The Punch |access-date=29 May 2022}} Runner-up Gershom Bassey accepted the results and congratulated Onor while noting that Southern candidates got a majority of votes cast. On 4 July, Onor announced Emana Ambrose-Amawhe—a former Channels TV presenter—as his running mate in a speech that pointed out that Ambrose-Amawhe would become Cross River's first women deputy governor in 30 years.{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Cross River PDP announces female deputy gov candidate |url=https://punchng.com/cross-river-pdp-announces-female-deputy-gov-candidate/ |website=The Punch |access-date=4 July 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Uchechukwu |first1=Ike |title=C’River PDP governorship candidate unveils ex-Channels TV broadcaster as running mate |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/07/criver-pdp-governorship-candidate-unveils-ex-channels-tv-broadcaster-as-running-mate/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=4 July 2022}}

• Sandy Ojang Onor: Senator for Cross River Central (2019–present), former Commissioner for Environment (2012–2013), former Commissioner for Agriculture (2010–2011), and former Etung Local Government Chairman (1999–2002){{cite web |title=2023: Wike can’t impose governorship candidate on us in Cross River—Group |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/2023-wike-cant-impose-governorship-candidate-on-us-in-cross-river-group/ |website=Nigerian Tribune |access-date=21 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=How Ayade’s defection may reshape political space of Cross River |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/how-ayades-defection-may-reshape-political-space-of-cross-river/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=17 August 2021}}
• Running mate—Emana Ambrose-Amawhe: former news presenter

• Arthur Jarvis Archibong: Chancellor of Arthur Jarvis University{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Varsity proprietor declares interest in Cross River 2023 governorship |url=https://punchng.com/varsity-proprietor-declares-interest-in-criver-2023-governorship/ |website=The Punch |access-date=30 September 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Okoro |first1=Judex |title=2023: 3 PDP NASS members, educationist join Cross River guber race |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/2023-3-pdp-nass-members-educationist-join-cross-river-guber-race/ |website=The Sun |access-date=17 December 2021}}
• Daniel Effiong Asuquo: House of Representatives member for Akamkpa/Biase (2011–present), former Director-General of the Cross River State Electrification Agency (2008–2010), and former Akamkpa Local Government Chairman (1999–2002)
• Gershom Bassey: Senator for Cross River South (2015–present) and former Chairman of the Cross River State Water Board (1999–2014){{cite web |last1=Taiwo-Obalonye |first1=Juliana |title=Cross River: How PDP’ll wrest power from Ayade in 2023 –Senator Gershom Bassey |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/cross-river-how-pdpll-wrest-power-from-ayade-in-2023-senator-gershom-bassey/ |website=The Sun |access-date=7 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=How Ayade’s defection dismantled, disorganised permutations for 2023 |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/how-ayades-defection-dismantled-disorganised-permutations-for-2023/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=7 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=2023: Senator Bassey declares for Cross River governorship, insists on rotation |url=https://dailypost.ng/2021/11/04/2023-senator-bassey-declares-for-cross-river-governorship-insists-on-rotation/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=23 November 2021}}
• Mkpang Coco-Bassey: engineer{{cite web |last1=Wodu |first1=Ada |title=Scottish-born engineer declares for Cross River gov race |url=https://punchng.com/scottish-born-engineer-declares-for-cross-river-gov-race/ |website=The Punch |access-date=22 May 2022}}
• Eyo Ekpo-Ene{{cite web |last1=Uchechukwu |first1=Ike |title=2023: C’River has been stagnant since Imoke left office ..Ekpo-Ene |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/2023-criver-has-been-stagnant-since-imoke-left-office-ekpo-ene/ |website=Vanguard |access-date=22 May 2022}}
• Philia Henshaw
• Imah Nsa Adegoke: 2012 LP gubernatorial nominee{{cite web |last1=Ndoma--Neji |first1=Nsan |title=2023: Second Female PDP Aspirant Imah Nsa Adegoke, Joins C/River Guber Race |url=https://kakaakireporters.com/2022/04/21/2023-second-female-pdp-aspirant-imah-nsa-adegoke-joins-c-river-guber-race/ |website=Kakaaki Reporters |access-date=23 April 2022 |location=Calabar |date=21 April 2022}}
• Nkoyo Toyo: former House of Representatives member for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=2023: PDP female governorship aspirant joins race Cross River |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/03/29/2023-pdp-female-governorship-aspirant-joins-race-cross-river/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=29 March 2022}}

• Wilfred Bonse: businessman{{cite web |title=2023: PDP Governorship Aspirant Demands Refund Of Nomination Fee |url=https://dailytrust.com/2023-pdp-governorship-aspirant-demands-refund-of-nomination-fee |website=Daily Trust |access-date=25 May 2022}}
• Efiok Cobham: former Deputy Governor

• Essien Ekpenyong Ayi: House of Representatives member for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South (2003–present) and former Calabar South Local Government Chairman (1995–2002)
• Ita Ekpeyong: former Director of the State Security Service (2010–2015)
• Ntufam Ekpo Okon: 2019 APC deputy gubernatorial nominee and former House of Representatives member for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani

{{Pie chart

|caption=Candidates' vote share

|label1={{nowrap|Sandy Ojang Onor}}

|label2={{nowrap|Gershom Bassey}}

|label3={{nowrap|Daniel Effiong Asuquo}}

|label4={{nowrap|Other candidates}}

|value1=41.33

|value2=30.65

|value3=25.74

|value4=2.28

|color1=#3f3b83

|color2=#c10000

|color3=#1b6400

|color4=silver}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = PDP primary results

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = {{nowrap|Sandy Ojang Onor}}

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes = 236

| percentage = 41.33%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Gershom Bassey

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes = 175

| percentage = 30.65%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Daniel Effiong Asuquo

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes = 147

| percentage = 25.74%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Arthur Jarvis Archibong

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes = 6

| percentage = 1.05%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Nkoyo Toyo

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes = 4

| percentage = 0.70%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Other candidates

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes = 3

| percentage = 0.53%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 571

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box invalid no change

| votes = 20

| percentage = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

|votes = 591

|percentage = Unknown

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{div col}}

• Effiom Effiom Ekeng (Action Alliance){{cite web |title=FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR STATE ELECTIONS - Governorship & Houses of Assembly |url=https://inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Final-List-of-Candidates-for-National-Elections_SHA-14.pdf |website=Independent National Electoral Commission |access-date=6 October 2022}}
• Running mate: Oguda Epam Obongha
• Marikana Stanley Ibiang (Action Democratic Party)
• Running mate: Francis Ayi Ukpanyang
• Edet Effiom (Action Peoples Party)
• Running mate: Major Umoh Lewis
• Effa Effiong Nyong (African Democratic Congress)
• Running mate: Christabel Mfam Kasang
• Ogar Obu (Labour Party)
• Running mate: Ekpezu Obu Ekpezu
• Patrick Henry Solomon (National Rescue Movement)
• Running mate: Mathias Amagbah
• Usani Uguru Usani (People's Redemption Party){{cite web |last1=Okoro |first1=Judex |title=Usani, Coco-Bassey clinch PRP, YPP governorship seats in Cross River |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/usani-coco-bassey-clinch-prp-ypp-governorship-seats-in-cross-river-2/ |website=The Sun |access-date=7 June 2022}}
• Running mate: Arit Bassey Nsan
• Edet Okokon (Social Democratic Party){{cite web |title=AMENDMENT 4 GOVERNORSHIP |url=https://www.inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AMENDMENT-4-GOVERNORSHIP.pdf |website=Independent National Electoral Commission |access-date=19 February 2023}}
• Running mate: Obo Daniel
• Joseph Coco-Bassey (Young Progressives Party)
• Running mate: Prince Agbor Onyi

{{div col end}}

As the general election campaign began in June 2022, pundits focused on the major candidates' attempts to reconcile aggrieved members of their own parties in the wake of the party primaries. While Otu's qualifications were disputed by his intraparty opponents, the catalyst for internal anti-Onor sentiment within the PDP was his disregard for the zoning principle by running.{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=Matters arising from PDP, APC primaries in Cross River |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/matters-arising-from-pdp-apc-primaries-in-cross-river/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=24 July 2022}} At the commencement of the official campaign period in October, analysts again reiterated the significance of zoning as a campaign issue with the potential that an Onor victory could mean the end of the practice in the state's gubernatorial elections; observers also noted Ayade's support of Otu and Onor's strong oratory skills as further campaign factors.{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=Zoning still critical in Cross River governorship race |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/zoning-still-critical-in-cross-river-governorship-race/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=31 October 2022}} However, the national PDP crisis between the G5 group and the party presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar impacted the Cross River PDP as well, splitting it between G5-aligned and Abubakar-aligned blocs. Onor and the state party chairman led the G5-aligned bloc while the Abubakar-aligned faction was helmed by former Governor Liyel Imoke; by January 2023, observers noted that Onor advertising did not jointly support Abubakar while Abubakar advertising did not mention Onor's gubernatorial candidacy.{{cite web |last1=Akpan |first1=Anietie |title=How Atiku/Wike face-off divide PDP candidates in Cross River |url=https://guardian.ng/politics/how-atiku-wike-face-off-divide-pdp-candidates-in-cross-river/ |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 January 2023}} The next month, focus switched to the presidential election on 25 February. In the election, Cross River State voted for Peter Obi (LP); Obi won the state with 43.2% of the vote, beating Bola Tinubu (APC) at 31.3% and Atiku Abubakar (PDP) at 22.9%. In the wake of the presidential race, pundits focused on regional differences in the gubernatorial election in addition to the rise of minor candidates and Ayade's senatorial loss.{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=Guber poll: Tension in Cross River North, Central |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/03/15/guber-poll-tension-in-cross-river-north-central/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=17 March 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Asare |first1=Asare |title=YPP, LP, others move to rattle APC, PDP in Cross River |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/02/24/ypp-lp-others-move-to-rattle-apc-pdp-in-cross-river/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=17 March 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Opejobi |first1=Seun |title=Governorship election: Ruling parties struggle in Lagos, Cross River, Abia, others |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/03/15/governorship-election-ruling-parties-struggle-in-lagos-cross-river-abia-others/ |website=Daily Post |access-date=17 March 2023}}

{{Excerpt|2023 Abia State gubernatorial election|Electoral timetable|hat=no}}

{{Pie chart

|caption=Candidates' vote share

|label1=Bassey Otu (APC)

|label2=Sandy Ojang Onor (PDP)

|label3=Other candidates

|value1=57.23

|value2=39.75

|value3=3.03

|color1={{party color|All Progressives Congress}}

|color2={{party color|Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)}}

|color3=silver}}

{{Election box begin no change| title = 2023 Cross River State gubernatorial election

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Effiom Effiom Ekeng

| party = Action Alliance

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Marikana Stanley Ibiang

| party = Action Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Edet Effiom

| party = Action Peoples Party

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Effa Effiong Nyong

| party = African Democratic Congress

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bassey Otu

| party = All Progressives Congress

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Ogar Obu

| party = Labour Party (Nigeria)

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Patrick Henry Solomon

| party = National Rescue Movement

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Sandy Ojang Onor

| party = Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Usani Uguru Usani

| party = People's Redemption Party

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Epet Okokon

| party = Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Coco-Bassey

| party = Young Progressives Party

| votes =

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes =

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

|votes =

|percentage =

}}

{{Election box end}}

The results of the election by senatorial district.

The results of the election by federal constituency.

The results of the election by local government area.

• 2023 Nigerian elections
• 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{2023 Nigeria elections}}

{{Elections in Cross River State}}

{{Nigerian state and local elections}}

Cross River State gubernatorial election

2023

Category:2023 Cross River State elections

Cross River