Barring any obstacles, by the end of today, the governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu should know his opponent from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC. The party’s primary election is underway across the state.
Three aspirants-Mkpang Coco-Bassey, John Upan Odey and Edem Ekong-are currently fighting for the party’s ticket. TNN learnt that there was an attempt by stakeholders to get the aspirants to agree among themselves on who the candidate should be.
By 9pm yesterday, the aspirants were unable to agree on the consensus option, hence the decision for all of them to get into the field today.
Chairman of the NDC in Cross River, Goddy Akpama told TNN on Friday over the telephone that the exercise was in progress peacefully across the state as at the time of the interview. He said he was hopeful that an acceptable candidate would emerge at the end of the exercise.
Before now, Coco-Bassey was a member of the PDP. But he left to join the ADC before leaving again to join the NDC. He had indicated the interest for the office while he was in the ADC. Before now, he had sought to be governor under the YPP.
Coco-Bassey is a Scottish-born engineer. While in the ADC, his campaign slogan was”Ahead,”emphasizing a reform-driven agenda focused on grassroots engagement and economic growth. He is from the southern senatorial district.
On the other hand, John Upan Odey is a financial executive and business strategist who had eyed the same office around 2019. With over two decades of experience in the banking sector, he is recognized for his leadership across operations, risk management, and private banking.
Odey, an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (HCIB), has held senior and executive roles at leading institutions, including Standard Chartered Bank, Ecobank, Union Bank, and the defunct Afribank. He is from the northern senatorial district.
Ekong, known for very lavish smiles and easy-to go lifestyle, is a lawyer. He has been a commissioner for lands in the state and in 2022, was described by Prof Ben Ayade, the then governor of the state, as an extremely honest administrator.
He had also served the state as the head of the state transport task force. Apart from politics and administration, Ekong is also known to be a good pastor and is seen to be practicing what he preaches. He comes from the southern senatorial district.
Already, the PDP has brought out Arthur Jarvis as its candidate for the election. This comes even as many of the people have vowed to stop the APC and its candidate, Otu, from returning to office.
