The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat has commended the Cross River State chapter of the party for conducting peaceful and orderly governorship primary elections across the state. The party urged stakeholders to intensify voter mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Monitoring Tour Highlights
The commendation was given on Thursday during a monitoring and assessment tour of the exercise in selected local government areas. Speaking in Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Odukpani, and Akamkpa, the Deputy National Treasurer of the APC, Engr. Ben Akak, emphasised that Cross River holds a special place in the party’s national leadership due to Governor Bassey Otu’s performance.
“The message from the National Headquarters is clear: Cross River State is special, and that is why this delegation was sent. The chairman specifically noted that the governor has done a lot for the party. He has delivered on almost all assignments given to him,” Akak said. “He was the first governor in the zone to rally other governors into the party. We are impressed with Cross River.”
Governor Otu’s Achievements
Akak expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the affirmation of Otu across the areas visited. He highlighted the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, entrepreneurship, pension reforms, and gender inclusion. “You can see he has performed tremendously. In his cabinet, women are well represented, and even among the candidates that have emerged, women are included. He is a governor sensitive to affirmative action,” he added.
He said a second term for Governor Otu would bring greater development and prosperity to the state. Emphasising the importance of the 2027 general elections, Akak urged the state to increase its voting strength to attract more federal attention.
“Politics is about what you can give before you can ask for more. Cross River must increase its votes so that Mr President will take greater interest in the state and more development will come,” he said. “We want the previous votes doubled so that more federal presence can come to the state.”
Widespread Support for Otu
He added that the peaceful conduct of the primaries showed that the governor had already secured broad support within the party. Also speaking, the APC South-South Zonal Organising Secretary, Prince Edward Ajang, said the high level of compliance across monitored areas reflected widespread support for Governor Otu.
Ajang described Cross River as a flagship state for the APC in the South-South and called for unity among party members. “If it is not your turn today, don’t feel it has come and gone. Work with others. The party has made its decision. Tomorrow, it will be your turn,” he said.
He urged party members to sustain the momentum ahead of the presidential primary, noting that the state must demonstrate strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. The delegation also observed the primary election in Governor Otu’s ward in Adiabo, where party members overwhelmingly affirmed him as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.
