Hon. Barr. Ankot Cobham Receives Rousing Welcome in Calabar After Successful Screening for House of Representatives.
Supporters of Hon. Barr. Ankot Cobham turned out in large numbers on Monday to welcome the legal practitioner and politician at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport upon his return from Abuja, where he successfully underwent screening as the NDC aspirant for the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The impressive crowd, estimated at over 1,000 people, thronged the airport to receive the aspirant, waving banners and chanting words of solidarity as he emerged from the arrival hall.
In his remarks, Hon. Ankot Cobham expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception, describing it as a clear affirmation of the people’s support and readiness for action.
“I am back to let you know that we are ready — spiritually, physically, numerically, and financially — to win the primary and the 2027 election,” he declared. “It was for the sake of all of you that my DG, Elder Hon. Charles Mbora, and I spent days in Abuja. We also refused to step down despite the pressure. I appreciate all of you for standing by me through your prayers, comments, and constant encouragement. We are ready to fail in the field of the primary rather than step down.”
Hon. Ankot Cobham charged his supporters to remain resolute, stating that a new Nigeria and a new Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency were possible with their collective determination.
He announced that further discussions on the way forward would continue at a separate venue.
Solidarity at Ward 5, Calabar Municipal
From the airport, the convoy proceeded to Ward 5 in Calabar Municipality, the seat of government, where another large gathering of supporters had assembled to listen to Ankot and witness the Declaration of Intent by Mr. Essien Akabom Eyo, who is vying for the Calabar Municipal State Constituency seat in the Cross River State House of Assembly under the NDC platform.
Women coordinated under the umbrella of WOMEN INITIATIVE NETWORK FOR ANKOT (WIN ANKOT), along with youth groups and elders, reaffirmed their full support for Hon. Barr. Ankot Cobham’s House of Representatives bid.
Speaking at the reception, Mr. Essien Akabom Eyo described the day as historic for the people of Calabar Municipality, saying they were on the verge of finally having a strong voice at both the National and State Assemblies.
“I, Essien Akabom Eyo, of Ward 5, Calabar Municipality, stand before you today to declare my intention to contest for the office of Member, Cross River State House of Assembly, representing Calabar Municipal State Constituency under the NDC,” he said.
He promised to maintain an open-door policy, keeping his doors open 24/7 to constituents if elected. He also urged the youth to shun political violence and manipulation.
“It is time for our young people to stand up for themselves and refuse to be used as political thugs to carry guns or steal ballot boxes. Nobody should turn you against your brothers because of revenue points,” he advised.
Why NDC?
Addressing his supporters, Hon. Ankot Cobham expressed delight at the massive turnout, noting that he personally recognised over 80 percent of the faces present — a development he said gave him great hope and confidence in the strength of his support base.
He explained his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party he invested significant resources to build, for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He cited the lingering litigation and multiple factions within the ADC, including the David Mark, Kachikwu, and Nafiu factions.
“As a trained and practising lawyer, I weighed all the options carefully. In the NDC, there are no factions or litigations. While forms may be almost free in the ADC, they are not free in the NDC. This is because good things don’t come cheaply,” he stated.
He tendered an apology to a few of his supporters who are still in the ADC for not being aware that he had moved to the NDC with his family, partners, and supporters. He urged them, along with those still in the PDP, to align with the NDC — the strongest opposition party in Nigeria, symbolized by two fingers up, representing victory for the youths, women, elders, and Nigerians.
Cobham appealed for civility among aspirants, disclosing that there are six contenders for the federal seat — three from Calabar Municipality and three from Odukpani. He urged his followers to avoid reciprocating the blackmails and lies told against him by his co-aspirants with abuses or attacks. He admonished his supporters to remain focused on preparing for the primaries, which he is ready to contest on either the 27th or 28th of May 2027, as directed by the party.
He encouraged all eligible supporters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), emphasising readiness for the electoral process. Though he is a lawyer, he stated that he is not prepared to win the election in court but to win convincingly at the polls, just as the incumbent did in 2023.
Hon. Ankot Cobham further positioned himself as the candidate capable of giving the All Progressives Congress (APC) serious concern and defeat, stating that while other aspirants were seen as “walkovers” by the ruling APC, his aspiration and readiness command respect and fear in their camp.
When he rhetorically asked the crowd if he should step down and withdraw from the race, the supporters responded with a thunderous “No!” He then declared: “For your sake and the future of our children, I will not step down. I will fight the battle to the end, win, and effectively serve the people.”
Hon. Cobham formally introduced Obi/Kwankwaso as the consensus presidential candidate of the party and also presented Mr. Essien Akabom Eyo as the aspirant for the State House of Assembly seat for Calabar Municipal State Constituency under the NDC. He pledged to work closely with him once both emerge victorious in the 2027 election, for the overall development of the constituency.
The events of the day underscored the growing momentum and grassroots support for the NDC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections in the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, thanks to Barr. Ankot Cobham’s acceptability and popularity among his people.
©ATM MEDIA
