By Lawrence Mpama
One would be tempted to ask if it is not too early to start campaign or political activities for 2027 now, considering the fact that the present leadership has upto May 2025 to complete two years in office. The Nigerian politicians thinks differently and this is why. The Southern Caucus of the 10th House Of Assembly in the state has declared unequivocally, that there is no vacancy in government house Calabar and therefore, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is their preferred choice in 2027 Governorship election in the state.
This audacious declaration and endorsement was make at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre Calabar before media men by the representatives of the nine State Constituencies in the Southern Senatorial District of the State and they are : Leader of the House and Chairman of Caucus, Rt Hon. Francis Asuquo, (Odukpani 1 State Constituency),; Hon Linus Bassey Etim (Akamkpa II); Hon Okon Owuna (Akamkpa 1); Hon Bassey Effiong Bassey (Akpabuyo); Hon Eyo Bassey (Bakassi); Hon Francis Onete Ogban (Biase); Hon Stanley Bassey Nsemo (Calabar Municipal); Hon Effiong Ekarika (Calabar South 1) and Hon Victor Nsa (Calabar South 11.
The Southern state lawmakers stated that the endorsement has become necessary and view Sen Otu’s remarkable achievements since assuming office. Hear them, “After a thorough and unbiased assessment of governance in Cross River State since 1998, “we have come to the conclusion that Governor Otu’s administration, in comparison with the achievements in first two years of former governors first terms, has made significant strides in infrastructure development, economic policies and programmes, human capital development, peace, and security.”
They alluded to the fact that, as we approach 2027 and the dynamics of another elections in our state, they urge every Cross Riverian and residents of the state to please think Cross River and the collective good of the state. According to them, “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 still in need of more goals”.
The lawmakers asserted that, “as patriotic and people’s 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. They therefore appeal to every other potential gubernatorial aspirant not to hope on them, but to please discard such aspiration and join forces to support Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu for a second term.
They thereafter use the occasion, as the 10th Assembly Southern Caucus, to call on Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu to accept, at the right time, and harken to their Clarion call to recontest for the Governorship, come 2027”.
The Southern Caucus lawmakers also commended the state First Lady for her initiatives in healthcare and women’s empowerment which have indeed complemented the governors achievements.
The following are some of the achievements of Sen Otu they reel out to the media :-
- Economic Revitalization and IGR Growth:
- Governor Otu’s administration has significantly boosted the state’s
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 60.6% (N36.3 billion) from June 2023 to May 2024. This achievement has made additional funds available to drive the People First Agenda.
- The state’s credit rating has improved from “BB” to “BBB” reflecting good credit quality and investment-grade status. This has enabled the state to secure $4,000,000 in Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI) due to sound financial management.
- The administration has introduced full automation of revenue collection, blocking leakages and ensuring real-time tracking of revenue from micro and small businesses in rural areas.
- Agricultural Reforms:
- Governor Otu has completed a comprehensive soil test analysis to drive an agro-revolution in the state.
- The administration has distributed light farm equipment under the
FADAMA NG-CARES scheme and plans to procure heavy equipment like harvesters, threshers, and irrigation tools.
- A 50,000-hectare rice farm was inaugurated in Ndok, Ogoja LGA, with an expected annual yield of 300,000 tons of rice. This initiative is part of the state’s Rice Revolution aimed at ensuring food security.
- The state has also reclassified 12,000 hectares of land in the Southern Senatorial District for commercial agriculture, with groundbreaking ceremonies already held.
- Infrastructure Development:
- The administration has declared a total war on potholes in Calabar and other major towns, rehabilitating intra-city roads and restoring street lights, traffic lights, and bus stops.
- The Ikom-Obudu Highway and Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road have seen significant progress, improving connectivity across the state.
- The state is in the process of acquiring the Ikot Nyong Electricity Power Plant, which will make Cross River a net exporter of power.
- Health Sector Improvements:
- Governor Otu has allocated 13% of the 2024 budget to the health sector, leading to the proposed ongoing expansion of the Ikom General Hospital.
- The administration has installed medical oxygen plants in Ogoja and Calabar General Hospitals and rebuilt the State Essential Drug Central Warehouse vandalized during the ENDSARS protests.
- A modern fistula facility has been established at the General Hospital, Calabar, to address feco-vaginal and urinary fistula cases among women.
- Environmental Sustainability:
- The administration has launched the Green Carnival Initiative to promote tree planting and sustainable land use practices.
- The Bakassi Deep Sea port is one gigantic project that will surely turn around the fortune of the State.
- We have experienced so many road constructions work, even in areas that were written off, such as some areas of Calabar South and the ongoing Adiabo Road Project.
- The revitalization of the State Airline with new flights and the proposed Railway lines are landmark achievements of this administration.
- The state has also flagged off the UNESCO Oban Biosphere Reserve Project, recognizing Cross River’s commitment to environmental conservation.
- Youth Development and Empowerment:
- The administration has sponsored so many youths for an internship program in electrical and electronics at Skyrun and trained so many others in different areas of skill acquisition.
- Thousands vulnerable youths receive N10,000 monthly stipends under the Labor Intensive Public Workforce of the NG-CARES program.
