Governor Bassey Otu has secured the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State after a statewide affirmation exercise conducted across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The endorsement came as the APC continued its primary elections for various elective positions. Party officials, stakeholders and supporters turned out in large numbers to back Otu’s bid for a second term, effectively adopting him as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The exercise was monitored by a delegation from the APC National Secretariat led by the party’s National Deputy Treasurer, Ben Akak. Supporters also pledged to mobilise votes for both Governor Otu and President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
APC Delegation Praises Turnout, Peaceful Exercise
Speaking during the monitoring exercise in Calabar South, Akak said the National Secretariat specifically directed the delegation to visit all 18 local government areas to assess the credibility of the governorship primary.
He described the turnout as overwhelming, saying it reflected widespread support for the governor’s re-election ambition.
Akak urged party members to intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 polls and challenged them to surpass the votes recorded in the last election to attract greater federal attention and development to the state.
RELATED NEWS:
-
APC Adopts Direct Primary for Presidential Ticket Across 8,809 Wards
-
Zamfara 2027: APC Chieftain, Sani Shinkafi Declares Governorship Ambition
-
Aggrieved Aspirants Reject Kaduna APC Senatorial Primaries, Threaten Court Action
According to him, Otu enjoys a strong reputation within the party at the national level due to his political contributions and leadership qualities.
“The way Governor Otu is viewed at the National Secretariat is unique. He is regarded as someone who delivers results. If he has helped deliver victories for others, then securing victory for himself should not be difficult,” he said.
South-South APC Leaders Call for Unity
The APC South-South Zonal Organising Secretary, Prince Edwin Ajang, also commended Otu’s leadership and described Cross River as a key stronghold of the party in the region.
Ajang said the governor had played an important role in strengthening the APC across the South-South and urged party members and aspirants to remain united after the primaries.
He reminded party faithful that political opportunities are not permanent and encouraged those who did not secure tickets to continue supporting the party’s overall objectives.
“Today may not be your turn, but tomorrow can be yours. What matters most is standing together and working for the success of the party,” he said.
National Secretariat Hails Otu’s Performance
Addressing journalists in Odukpani after touring various local government areas, Akak said the APC leadership considered Cross River a special state because of Otu’s contributions to the growth of the party at both regional and national levels.
He cited achievements in infrastructure development, entrepreneurship support and pension reforms as evidence of the governor’s performance in office.
“We are proud of the governor. From road projects to programmes that support entrepreneurship and reforms in pension administration, he has delivered significantly. We believe the second term will bring even greater benefits to the people,” he said.
Akak added that the party leadership was impressed by the peaceful conduct of the primaries and the emergence of candidates for National Assembly and State Assembly positions without major disputes.
According to him, the governor’s achievements have gained recognition at the APC national headquarters, which informed the decision to send a high-level delegation to monitor the exercise.
He also said the massive turnout witnessed across the state confirmed the governor’s popularity among party members and residents.
“At the National Headquarters, we heard that Governor Otu enjoys widespread support, but what we have seen on the ground surpasses those reports,” he stated.
Otu Promises Greater Service
Reacting to the affirmation, Governor Otu described the endorsement as a renewed mandate to work harder for the people of Cross River State.
He thanked party members for their confidence in his administration and pledged to intensify efforts to deliver more development projects and improve the welfare of residents.
“What you are seeing here means a lot to us. We have done our best so far, but this overwhelming affirmation is a challenge for us to do even more for the people,” the governor said.
The governor’s wife, Eyoanwan Otu, also appealed to women across the state to sustain their support for the administration, describing women as vital partners in governance and political mobilisation.
She commended women for their consistent backing of the government and urged them to remain committed to the administration’s programmes and policies.
The APC national delegation concluded that the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the widespread endorsements recorded across the state had further strengthened confidence in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.