Cross River State, a scenic and culturally rich region in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone, has long been home to some of the country’s most influential political figures. With Calabar as its capital, the state has historically held a central place in national politics and has produced leaders with notable financial clout.
This post provides a deep dive into the top 10 richest politicians from Cross River State, spotlighting their estimated net worth, key political positions, business interests, and how they accumulated their wealth. These individuals have not only impacted policy and governance but have also invested in various sectors, including real estate, law, agriculture, oil and gas, and tourism. Their contributions extend beyond politics into shaping the state’s economy and employment landscape.
1. Liyel Imoke – Estimated Net Worth: $50 Million
Liyel Imoke is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and one of the wealthiest politicians from Cross River State. A lawyer by training, Imoke first rose to national attention as the Minister of Power and Steel under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He served as the Governor of Cross River State from 2007 to 2015, overseeing major infrastructure projects and social initiatives. His fortune is largely tied to his political career, lucrative contracts during his tenure in public office, and substantial real estate investments across Nigeria.
Imoke also has legal practice interests in the United States and Nigeria, contributing to his significant net worth. His discreet business style has kept him largely out of public controversies, but insiders regard him as one of the most strategic political and financial minds in Cross River politics.
2. Donald Duke – Estimated Net Worth: $40 Million
Donald Duke is a household name not just in Cross River State but across Nigeria. A visionary leader, Duke served as governor from 1999 to 2007. His tenure is widely remembered for transforming Calabar into a tourism hub with projects like the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort and the Obudu Mountain Resort facelift.
Duke is a trained lawyer and entrepreneur. Much of his wealth is derived from investments in real estate, tourism, and other business ventures. His emphasis on public-private partnerships while in office allowed him to align business with governance in a way that personally benefited him post-governorship.
His 2019 presidential bid under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) further raised his national profile, even though he did not win.
3. Gershom Bassey – Estimated Net Worth: $30 Million
Gershom Bassey is another seasoned political figure from Cross River State. He served as the Senator for Cross River South and has long been a close ally of both Liyel Imoke and Donald Duke, forming part of the influential political trio often referred to as "The Three Wise Men" of Cross River politics.
Bassey's wealth is largely attributed to his business ventures, especially as the Chairman and CEO of Lilleker Nigeria Limited—a leading construction and engineering firm. He also held various strategic positions in state administration, including Chairman of the Water Board and Special Adviser roles.
His construction contracts and political alignment during and after his Senate term have cemented his status as one of the richest politicians in the state.
4. Walter Onnoghen – Estimated Net Worth: $20 Million
Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen is not a career politician but a jurist whose role as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2017 to 2019 placed him at the apex of the Nigerian judiciary. Though he was removed in a controversial corruption-related saga, Onnoghen remains one of the wealthiest individuals from Cross River State.
His net worth stems primarily from his long-standing legal career, pensions, real estate holdings, and undisclosed assets reportedly held abroad. While he may no longer be active in politics or public service, his legacy and financial status remain substantial.
5. Florence Ita-Giwa – Estimated Net Worth: $15 Million
Known affectionately as "Mama Bakassi," Florence Ita-Giwa is one of Cross River’s most charismatic female politicians. She served as a senator and was a Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Her wealth comes from decades of political service, oil block allocations, and high-value business contracts. She is also a vocal activist, particularly on matters concerning the Bakassi Peninsula, and has leveraged her platform for both humanitarian and commercial interests.
Aside from politics, Ita-Giwa is a fixture in Nigeria’s elite social circles and has numerous properties and investments in Lagos, Calabar, and Abuja.
6. Benedict Ayade – Estimated Net Worth: $15 Million
Professor Benedict Ayade, the immediate past Governor of Cross River State (2015–2023), is a professor of environmental microbiology and a businessman. Before becoming governor, he served as a senator representing Cross River North.
Ayade’s wealth can be traced to his political appointments, academic consulting, and businesses in agriculture and industrialization. As governor, he launched several projects under his industrialization drive, including a garment factory, rice mill, and cocoa processing plant.
Though some of these projects drew criticism for lacking long-term viability, they boosted his business network and financial portfolio. He is known for combining academia, politics, and entrepreneurship.
7. Victor Ndoma-Egba – Estimated Net Worth: $8 Million
Victor Ndoma-Egba is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former Senate Leader. He also served as the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a position that significantly expanded his influence and wealth.
His legal practice is a major source of his fortune, alongside business investments in real estate, oil and gas, and public consulting. As a senator, Ndoma-Egba was known for his eloquence and policy leadership.
His role in the NDDC exposed him to lucrative opportunities, as the commission oversees multi-billion-naira development projects across the Niger Delta.
8. John Owan Enoh – Estimated Net Worth: $5 Million
John Owan Enoh has held multiple legislative roles, including being a senator. He currently serves as Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development under the Tinubu administration.
Owan Enoh is also one of the most prominent agribusiness investors in Cross River State. His farming enterprise spans thousands of hectares and includes poultry, cassava, and other cash crops.
He has built his wealth on a combination of political engagement, agricultural investment, and real estate. His dual expertise in governance and agribusiness makes him a unique figure among Cross River’s wealthy politicians.
9. Asuquo Ekpenyong – Estimated Net Worth: $4 Million
Asuquo Ekpenyong made history as the youngest commissioner in Cross River State when he was appointed Commissioner for Finance at age 29. In 2023, he became the Senator representing Cross River South.
A financial analyst and businessman, Ekpenyong’s wealth is primarily from his work in banking, investment advisory, and his family’s businesses. His father, Asuquo Ekpenyong Sr., is a respected figure in the financial sector.
Ekpenyong has extensive real estate interests and is poised for a bright future in politics and business, given his youth, education, and network.
10. Eteng Jonah Williams – Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million
Eteng Jonah Williams is the current senator representing Cross River Central and a former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
He built his wealth through long-standing service in the state legislature, real estate holdings, and administrative contracts. As speaker, he had considerable influence over state budgets and infrastructure projects, which provided various opportunities to expand his financial base.
Williams remains an influential grassroots politician and continues to play a strategic role in the state’s political alignment.
Summary Table: Richest Politicians in Cross River State (2025)
| Rank | Name | Estimated Net Worth | Notable Positions | Primary Sources of Wealth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liyel Imoke | $50 Million | Former Governor, Minister | Law, Real Estate, Politics |
| 2 | Donald Duke | $40 Million | Former Governor | Politics, Real Estate, Tourism |
| 3 | Gershom Bassey | $30 Million | Former Senator, Businessman | Construction, Politics |
| 4 | Walter Onnoghen | $20 Million | Former Chief Justice of Nigeria | Law, Real Estate |
| 5 | Florence Ita-Giwa | $15 Million | Former Senator, Presidential Adviser | Oil, Politics, Business |
| 6 | Benedict Ayade | $15 Million | Former Governor, Professor | Politics, Agriculture, Industrial Ventures |
| 7 | Victor Ndoma-Egba | $8 Million | SAN, Former Senator, NDDC Chairman | Law, Politics, Real Estate |
| 8 | John Owan Enoh | $5 Million | Minister, Former Senator | Agribusiness, Politics |
| 9 | Asuquo Ekpenyong | $4 Million | Senator, Former Finance Commissioner | Banking, Real Estate, Politics |
| 10 | Eteng Jonah Williams | $3 Million | Senator, Former Speaker of the State Assembly | Politics, Administration, Real Estate |
Conclusion
The political scene in Cross River State has produced individuals whose influence transcends governance. These politicians are not only power brokers but also major economic players in various industries, ranging from construction to agriculture and tourism.
Their stories reflect the intricate relationship between political success and financial prosperity in Nigeria. While governance provides a platform, it is their business acumen and strategic investments that have secured their wealth and legacy.
As Cross River State continues to develop, these political heavyweights will likely remain central to its progress—economically, socially, and politically.
