Former House of Representatives member Eta Mbora has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the PDP’s ongoing internal crisis as the reason for his defection.
Mbora, who represented Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the 9th National Assembly, announced his move on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Calabar.
He described the decision as “difficult” but said the prolonged party disputes had weakened the PDP’s effectiveness.
He expressed gratitude to the PDP for opportunities to serve at local, state, and federal levels and thanked his supporters and political associates for their loyalty.
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Mbora urged his followers to join him in the ADC and participate in the party’s ongoing registration and revalidation exercises across their wards.
Mbora’s defection adds to a wave of high-profile moves to the ADC in Cross River, including former Governor Liyel Imoke and ex-Senator Gershom Bassey, signaling a reshaping of the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC’s rising influence has triggered tensions in the state. Earlier this week, suspected hoodlums disrupted a party meeting in Bakassi Local Government Area, destroying canopies, chairs, and sound equipment and scattering attendees before the event began.
Video clips circulating on social media captured youths warning against the presence of opposition parties, insisting the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain the dominant party in the area.
The incident underscores the intensifying political contest in Cross River as parties prepare for the upcoming elections.