Southern Cross River Lawmakers Back Governor Otu for Second Term, Warn Against Gubernatorial Ambitions
Nine legislators from the Cross River State House of Assembly, representing constituencies in the Southern district, have warned other politicians in the region not to pursue gubernatorial ambitions in the 2027 elections, urging them to support Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu for a second term.
Speculation has been rife that Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr., a 40-year-old former Commissioner for Finance and current Senator representing the district, may be preparing to run for governor. In response to this, the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, recently intervened to quell tensions, clarifying that there are no issues between Otu and Ekpenyong, who both hail from Odukpani LGA.
At a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Calabar, the nine APC lawmakers issued a statement, urging ambitious politicians to refrain from contesting for the governorship seat, as they expressed unwavering support for Otu. The lawmakers described Otu as an effective governor, highlighting his accomplishments in revitalizing the state’s economy, boosting internal revenue generation (IGR), and making strides in agriculture, infrastructure, youth development, security, and health.
The lawmakers also passed a vote of confidence in Governor Otu, emphasizing that he is their preferred candidate for the 2027 election. They likened Otu’s leadership to a star player on a winning team, asserting, “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 statement further urged other potential gubernatorial aspirants to set aside their ambitions and rally behind Otu for a second term. The endorsement was signed by the representatives of the nine Southern Senatorial District constituencies, including the Leader of the House and Chairman of the Southern Caucus, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo (Odukpani); Hon. Linus Bassey Etim (Akamkpa II); Hon. Okon Owuna (Akamkpa I); 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 I); and Hon. Victor Nsa (Calabar South II).
