There are emerging indications that the governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu may be going into the 2027 election unopposed. His party, the APC, has already set the stage for it, even as no other aspirant has so far shown any public interest in the office.
Although, the PDP and the ADC are currently fighting the battle of their life. The situation may have contributed to the delay in the emergence of aspirants form their fold, even though it is not clear if the governor or his men may have also contributed to the confusion in the two parties at the state level.
Last week though, it was learnt that the PDP may be getting ready to get its house in order in preparation for the conduct of primary elections into all the positions. A former governorship candidate from the central senatorial district is believed to be getting set to run for the senate seat under the PDP.
It was also learnt that the PDP would soon unveil its candidate for the governorship position. The person is said to be from the same senatorial district as the sitting governor.
But Otu has been getting the endorsement of various groups. The Northern Cross River Coalition (NORTHCCO) in endorsing him many months ago, cited his achievements in infrastructure development, healthcare, agriculture, and economic empowerment. The group has pledged to fund the purchase of the APC nomination form on his behalf.
Prominent members of the APC in the National Assembly, including Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Dr Alex Egbona who represents Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, have been playing pivotal roles in getting their people to endorse the governor.
A few weeks ago, Jarigbe’s kinsmen who are resident in Abuja took over the federal capital as they organised a rally to support Jarigbe and the governor for re-election. This came after the Ekpenyong’s allies had done a similar thing in their senatorial district.
Penultimate week, Egbona’s Ekureku people, both in Calabar and back home, organised a fanciful endorsement rally for their son and also for the governor. They said Otu deserved to return to office for his performance in the last three years.
Otu’s achievements in office include the resuscitation of Songhai Farms and the Starch Processing Factory in Ochon, as well as the construction of key roads such as the Border Road to Mankono and the Calabar Road-Ikom Market-Mile 2 Road.
The Forum of Special Advisers to Otu has also endorsed him for re-election, citing his commitment to inclusive governance and economic progress. The Southern Caucus of the 10th Assembly has unanimously endorsed Otu, with the lawmakers led by Ekpenyong, praising his achievements in infrastructure development, economic policies, and human development.
Otu has introduced a new unifying mantra, “One Cross River, One Love,” to build on his administration’s “People First” philosophy. He has reiterated his commitment to delivering on his campaign promises and has urged stakeholders to join him in building a better state.
His security efforts have been praised, with stakeholders noting that the state has seen significant improvements in security under his leadership. The governor has vowed to continue working to improve security and has called on remaining hoodlums to accept the state’s amnesty.
The Bakassi Deep Seaport construction is underway, with Otu announcing that the president, Bola Tinubu has promised to dredge the Calabar channel from the Calabar Port to the deep sea port. This project is expected to boost the state’s economy and create jobs.
Last weekend, APC chieftains from across the state stormed Ikom, the political capital of the central senatorial district, to endorse him under the umbrella of the Prince is coming Again, a group believed to be championed by his chief of staff, Dr Emmanuel Ironbar.
