Cross River 2027 and Otu’s endorsement for 2nd term

By Michael Jegede

When Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State assumed office on May 29, 2023, he assured Cross Riverians that he was going to work tirelessly and leave no stone unturned to ensure an overall development and total transformation in the state. He vowed to remain focused and determined to place Cross River on the path of economic rejuvenation and revitalization.

In about 22 months into his administration, Governor Otu has indeed left no one in doubt about his capacity to deliver with the level of monumental achievements he is seen to have so far recorded as Cross River helmsman in the various sectors of the state’s economy. He is believed to have greatly shown pragmatic and transformational leadership in pursuit of the fulfilment of his campaign promises and actualization of his People-First agenda.

As Nigerians have commenced discussions for the 2027 general election across the country, with primary polls expected to hold next year, different groups and individuals in Cross River have endorsed Governor Otu for a second term, declaring that “there is no vacancy in the Peregrino House Calabar”. It is their belief that Otu, with the full support of his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has done excellently well to remain at the helm of affairs of the state beyond 2027 in the interest of Cross Riverians.

Convinced that the governor has performed stupendously to restore the lost glory of the state and positively change the face of Cross River, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on whose platform he was elected in 2023, has unanimously granted him and his deputy, Odey, automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. The party does not expect anyone to seek to contest for the APC guber ticket in the primary election, as the duo of Otu and Odey will be the sole candidates for the seats of governor and deputy governor come 2027.

The decision for the adoption of Otu and Odey for second term was reportedly taken on Monday after a thorough consultation among the State Working Committee and State Executive Committee of the party held in Calabar. The stakeholders of APC in Cross River threw their weight behind the decision to endorse the governor and his deputy for second term, believing that it was the right way to go if the party must retain the state in 2027, to enable the people to continue to enjoy the ‘season of sweetness’ that came with the emergence of the duo in 2023.

The Cross River APC Chairman, Barrister Alphonsus Eba, speaking on behalf of the party stakeholders, noted that the decision to insist on having Otu run for another term, was informed by his exceptional leadership and remarkable feats in the area of agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, etc.

Eba further maintained that it would make no sense to change a winning team, knowing that the governor is a compassionate leader and a man filled with wisdom and milk of human kindness, who definitely will never cease to do greater exploits to see that Cross Riverians continue to enjoy the true dividends of democracy.

As stated by Barrister Eba, “The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today (Monday) and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027.

“The clear guidance that led to Senator Bassey Edet Otu’s emergence as our party’s candidate in 2022 and his subsequent victory in 2023, along with his nearly two years in office, confirm that our choice was indeed the right one.

“It’s a well-known fact that one should not alter a successful team. Our governor possesses great wisdom, and thus, our party has decided that this exceptional duo, Otu and Odey, by the special grace of God will fly the flag of our party in 2027.

“The Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to seek second term, and because this party is in full support of His Excellency the Governor and his deputy, even if he is unwilling to run, we are saying that we will procure only one ticket and we will have his name, just like we did in 2023.

“All party members, support groups, are therefore commissioned to freely go into the field, and to continue the evangelical mission that will now take them to the field. Nobody speaks to the converted. We need to do more work, with our brothers and sisters in the opposition, to join hands with us.”

The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) was among the groups that recently sealed the second term of Otu before the party’s endorsement and decision to grant automatic ticket to him and his deputy.

For CRSCF, Sweet Prince (as Otu is popularly called) has demonstrated clarity in his vision and desire for Cross River State, and should therefore be given the chance to continue in 2027. They passed a vote of confidence in the governor and maintained that there was no vacancy in the Government House.

The motion to pass a vote of confidence in Otu endorsing him for a second term was moved by Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, Chairman of the State Advisory Council, at the forum’s first stakeholders conference held in Calabar. It was unanimously adopted by the forum and said to be an indication of the group’s overwhelming support for Otu’s leadership.

According to Prof. Nyong, “Governor Otu has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a clear vision for Cross River state.

“We are confident in his ability to continue delivering on his promises and transforming our state.”

The people of Yache Nation in Cross River State have also declared full support for Otu’s second term. The declaration was made at a townhall meeting held on March 29, 2025 in Alifokpa, Yala Local Government Area within the northern senatorial district of the state.

At the townhall meeting attended by prominent Cross Riverians and presided over by Senator Stephen Odey, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education and Oyorgu 1 of Yache Nation, the people pledged their unflinching support for Otu’s transformational agenda.

Noting that he has done so well to deserve a second term, different speakers at the townhall meeting hailed Otu’s people-first approach to governance. They described him as an open-minded leader fully committed to inclusive development to foster economic growth and sustainability.

The Cross River State Special Advisers Forum had equally made a declaration on the re-election of Otu come 2027, averring that the seat of the governor in the Government House Calabar remains occupied until 2031. The Forum members stated this last month at a press briefing in Calabar where they acknowledged the governor’s developmental strides while presenting the scorecard of his administration’s achievements to justify their call for his re-election in 2027.

The Special Advisers unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Sweet Prince, citing his noteworthy accomplishments in healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, rural electrification and economic empowerment as the grounds for the endorsement. They reaffirmed their firm support for the governor, asserting that his developmental agenda should be allowed to continue beyond 2027.

Chairman of the forum and Special Adviser on General Duties to the Governor, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, lauded Otu’s commitment to equitable development and inclusive leadership. Akiba while describing the governor believed to be working round the clock to position Cross River as an economic powerhouse, as a visionary leader, made reference to the ongoing economic regeneration, road constructions and enhanced investor confidence, as proof of his commitment to the progress of Cross River.

According to the Special Adviser on General duties, “His Excellency has set Cross River on a progressive path, and the results are evident in every sector.

“He has transformed Cross River through critical infrastructure projects, economic revitalization, and strategic political influence at the national level.”

The Special Advisers on Asset Management and Recovery, Barrister Gilbert Agbor, who dwelled on the impact of Otu’s administration in the central senatorial district of the state, noted that the step taken by the governor for the revival of Songhai Farms in Etigidi and the Starch Processing Factory in Ochon, will paved way for the creation of jobs, optimization of agricultural production and food security.

Highlighting the key road projects embarked upon by the governor in Obubra, Ugep and Ikom, Barrister Agbor also mentioned his construction of a ₦470 million General Hospital in Ikom and rehabilitation of eighty two primary healthcare centres in partnership with the World Bank, to demonstrate his commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare service delivery.

In the area of electrification, the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery observed that the collaboration of Otu’s government with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) at the federal level has allowed for the provision of solar power to manifold communities, thereby increasing economic opportunities for the people.

On his part, the Special Adviser on Events Management, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong, noted the efforts of Otu in the restoration of electricity to Bekwara Local Government Area after about fifteen years of darkness, and rehabilitation of major roads in Bakassi, Calabar South and Akamkpa.

Ekpenyong pointed out the supportive role of the First Lady, wife of the Cross River governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, while hailing her humanitarian efforts via the Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative. The initiative, according to him, has impressively engaged in vocational training, free medical outreaches, and support for the elderly, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and orphans, thereby putting smiles on the faces of numerous Cross Riverians. Over 7,000 residents were said to have benefited from the free medical outreaches. The initiative has also offered scholarships to indigent students and organised empowerment programmes for the youths and women in Cross River State.

The State Lawmakers were not left out of the endorsement spree for Otu’s second term. The Southern Caucus of the 10th Assembly in Cross River State had likewise unanimously endorsed Governor Otu for a second term come 2027. The Caucus is made up of parliamentarians from Cross River South, representing the following state constituencies in the Cross River State House of Assembly: Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Biase, Calabar South 1, Calabar South 2, Calabar Municipal, and Odukpani.

The leader of the Caucus, Hon. Francis Bassey Asuquo, representing Odukpani State Constituency, said the legislators hinged their decision on the fact that Sweet Prince has done creditably well in human development, sound economic policies, infrastructural advancement, and restoration of peace and security.

In the words of Hon Asuquo, “As we work towards 2027 and the dynamics of another election in our state, we urge every Cross Riverian and resident of our state to please think Cross River and the collective good of the state.

“No reasonable team will replace its best goal scorer before the end of the match, when he is still in high performance and the team is still in need of more goals. As patriotic and people-driven Representatives, we hereby pass a vote of confidence on our Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

“We declare, unequivocally, that he is our only choice for next term as Governor of Cross River State, to continue from 2027 to 2031. We appeal to every other potential gubernatorial aspirant not to hope on us, but to please decline such aspiration and join forces to support Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu for a second term.”

Michael Jegede, a journalist, writes from Abuja