CALABAR – Cross River State witnessed a convergence of culture and politics as the 20th Calabar Carnival celebration coincided with the defection of Hon. Essien Ekpenyong Ayi from the PDP to the APC.
The carnival, themed Traces of Time, marked two decades of Africa’s biggest street party, drawing residents, diaspora Cross Riverians and international visitors to Calabar for cultural reflection and tourism promotion.
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said he and his wife would join Governor Bassey Edet Otu and Cross River people worldwide to celebrate the anniversary, describing the carnival as a symbol of unity.
“This milestone offers a moment to reflect on the carnival’s journey and celebrate the culture, creativity and shared identity it continues to project to the world,” Enoh said.
He recalled the carnival’s evolution from modest beginnings to continental recognition, noting its ethical importance in promoting peaceful coexistence, cultural pride and economic opportunities for local communities.
As celebrations continued, political realignment emerged with Hon. Essien Ekpenyong Ayi announcing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Ayi, who represented Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said extensive consultations preceded his decision to change political affiliation.
According to Truth live news, which sighted the statements on social media through its correspondent in Calabar, Ayi said he served his constituents in the National Assembly for two decades.
He described the move as progressive, arguing that political decisions must reflect prevailing governance realities and the responsibility leaders owe their constituents.
“Today, I announce my decision to move progressively to the All Progressives Congress,” Ayi said, framing the defection as deliberate and guided by conscience.
The former lawmaker said his decision reflected confidence in Governor Bassey Otu’s leadership style, innovative policies and approach to governance in Cross River State.
As an elder statesman, Ayi said he was joining the APC to contribute experience, institutional knowledge and support toward strengthening governance and political stability.
“I am excited to work alongside dedicated leaders and members to drive change,” he said, calling for unity and collaboration within the ruling party. He urged party members to prioritise service delivery, ethical leadership and inclusive development over partisan interests and political rivalry.
Political analysts say the timing of Ayi’s defection during the carnival anniversary underscores the intersection of culture and politics in Cross River’s public life. They argue that while cultural celebrations promote unity, political actions taken during such periods raise ethical questions about symbolism, accountability and leadership intent.
After the political announcement, civic engagement took centre stage as the Independent National Electoral Commission leveraged the carnival to intensify voter education ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
INEC officials and volunteers took voter sensitisation to the streets, integrating civic education into the festivities to reach diverse audiences in an informal environment.
According to Truth live news, which monitored the outreach on social media, the exercise formed part of preparations for the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
The Commission announced that the next phase of the CVR would commence on 5 January 2026, urging eligible citizens to prepare for registration and data updates.
Capitalising on the carnival atmosphere, INEC personnel conducted interactive sensitisation on voter registration, voter information verification and overall electoral preparedness.
A major attraction was a live simulation of the registration process using a voter registration machine, printer, power pack and temporary voter card.
Carnival-goers observed and participated in the step-by-step demonstration, reinforcing the message that voter registration is simple, fast and accessible.
INEC officials also distributed educational materials and engaged attendees on the importance of collecting Permanent Voter Cards as a requirement for electoral participation.
The Commission said the outreach aimed to improve voter literacy, increase registration turnout and strengthen public confidence well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Observers say the sequential unfolding of cultural celebration, political realignment and civic mobilisation reflects the ethical intersection of heritage, governance and democratic participation.
They note that the Calabar Carnival continues to serve not only as a cultural showcase but also as a platform for public engagement and state-wide mobilisation.
The Calabar Carnival remains a major tourism asset for Cross River, projecting cultural identity while stimulating economic activity and international visibility.
With the carnival marking twenty years and political alignments shifting, observers say Cross River stands at a defining moment shaped jointly by heritage, governance and political recalibration.