By Seyi Odewale
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu for a second term in office, respectively.
This was the outcome of an APC stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Central Progressives Initiative (CPI) on Sunday in the Ikom local government area of the state, in collaboration with the party’s central leadership.
The meeting included the Minister of State for Industry, John Owan-Enoh, a former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, and a former deputy governor of the state, Clement Ebri.
The stakeholders also included past and serving state and national assembly members.
Senator Eteng Williams, who represents the Cross River Central Senatorial District, moved the motion to endorse Tinubu and Otu for 2027.
The former governor of the state, Ebri, who chaired the event, called for a voice vote for the endorsement, which received unanimous approval.
In his address, Williams declared that the people and leaders of his senatorial district were united in their support for Otu’s re-election.
According to him, while the governor has already delivered significant developmental strides, the people are encouraging him to ‘do more’.
“The applause and support he receives are not just expressions of satisfaction but a clear message for him to continue delivering good governance.
“The decision to back the governor is not arbitrary but reflects a consensus among all central leaders who were fully present and in agreement,” he said.
The senator further stated that no credible challenger could emerge from the region, noting that as the duly elected representative of the district, he was mandated to move the motion on behalf of the people.
In his address of welcome, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ayambem, described the central senatorial district as the “pillar of APC in Cross River” based on its strategic geographical significance and political influence.
Central is the nexus of the state. Our internal political divisions may have affected us in the past, but today, we have regrouped and are reawakening our commitment to unity and progress,” he said.
In his remarks, Owan-Enoh also described the central senatorial district as the voice of Cross River politics.
“When the central speaks, the state has spoken. There is no vacancy in 2027. The reward for hard work is more work,” he said.
Also lending his voice, Ndoma-Egba said that he had foreseen a political ‘earthquake’ in the state and the presidency, saying it had already begun and would continue till 2027.
He reiterated the principle of power rotation by zones and declared that the governor deserves a second term.
Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly members, Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency) affirmed that all APC federal lawmakers from the zone supported the endorsements.
Ambassador Soni Abang, a former PDP chairman and now member of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), said early endorsements would allow for strategic planning.
Abang commended Tinubu’s reforms and the governor’s economic management, noting that the state’s debt burden had been reduced by 50 per cent under Otu’s leadership.
The six local government chairmen from the senatorial district also endorsed Tinubu and Otu for a second term in office.
Similarly, the Central Commissioners’ Forum, led by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, gave their endorsement, saying that Tinubu and Otu’s leadership had been transformative.
Speaking at the occasion, the state APC Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, commended the central APC stakeholders for their unity and unwavering support for the governor and the president.
He pledged the party’s continued alignment with the vision of continuity and development.
