By MICHAEL JEGEDE
Copyright independent
When Governor Bassey Edet Otu assumed of-fice as the Captain of the Ship of Cross River State on May 29, 2023, he was seen to have come in with a great deal of determination, enthusiasm and passion to serve Cross Riverians and reposition the state for accelerated growth and economic prosperity.
Prior to his 2023 election victory, the governor’s campaign empha-sized the ‘People’s First’ approach, presenting a manifesto that priori-tized the needs of Cross River State’s citizens and outlined a roadmap for development.
Through diligent effort and in line with his People-First philos-ophy, Otu has since assumption of office as the Governor of Cross River State made significant strides in fulfilling his campaign promises, with targeted action plans yielding positive outcomes in infrastructure development, agriculture, health-care, education, security, tourism and job creation.
The governor’s leadership style, which underscores inclusivity and grassroots engagement, has earned him widespread acclaim. His demonstration of the ability to connect with residents and address their concerns has been particu-larly notable. It could be seen that his programmes and policies have indeed resonated with most Cross Riverians.
As attention turns to the 2027 elections and discussions about possible outcomes in states across the country dominate the political landscape, many have observed that Otu’s path to a second term appears smooth and promising with several factors working in his favour. Some of the key factors believed to have significantly brightened Governor Otu’s chances for second term in-clude his impressive achievements, people-centred governance, and overwhelming endorsements from various individuals, political stake-holders and groups across Cross River State.
Acknowledged as one of the first-term governors with quite an out-standing record of achievements, Otu, in the views of observers, have delivered dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of his people, and made meaningful impact in their lives through his numerous devel-opmental projects. He is on that note said to deserve an easy ride to re-elec-tion in 2027.
The House of Reps member rep-resenting Ikom/Boki Federal Con-stituency, Hon Victor Abang, strong-ly believes that Otu, fondly referred to as Sweet Prince, has an absolutely bright chance of securing a second term, having done excellently well thus far via purposeful, pragmatic and visionary leadership.
According to the lawmaker, ably representing his constituents in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, “Governor Otu has done wonderfully well. He has tried to re-position state institutions for better service delivery to Cross Riverians. He has done a lot of interventions in different areas to transform Cross River State and put smiles on the fac-es of our people. The governor has so far demonstrated the capacity to perform and deliver. His footprint of development is seen everywhere across the state in the areas of infra-structure, building and repairing of roads, agriculture, education, healthcare, electricity, security and tourism. His leadership style and people-first approach to governance have been quite unique and remark-able. Under his watch, there has been peace in our state. The governor is carrying everybody along. And Cross Riverians are generally feel-ing the impact of good governance under his leadership.”
The Head of Department of En-trepreneurship Studies in the Uni-versity of Cross River State (UNI-CROSS), Dr. Casius Ogar, is equally of the opinion that the governor has justified the trust and confidence re-posed in him by Cross Riverians, and as such, stands a greater chance of being re-elected.
Dr. Ogar noted that “Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has been able to demonstrate his capacity as governor in the state in terms of human capital development, infra-structural development, economic transformation, and helping to re-gain the lost glory of the state.
“He has operated an open-door policy in his administration carry-ing every section of the state along. He has been fair to all and sundry. His appointments are not parochial. He has ensured that appointments cut across the three senatorial districts of the state. He has been construc-tively developing a partnership with other political parties in the state. A complete gentleman, kind-hearted leader, liberal and listening gover-nor, that takes no delight in the in-timidation of people with opposing views.
“If you come to northern Cross River, it’s development everywhere. Same thing applies to the central and southern part of the state. He has been able to engage in rural elec-trification, rural road development, agricultural revolution, and the so-larization of some major streets in certain areas of the state.
“In the interest of Cross River State, Governor Otu has in no small measure made adequate efforts to complete abandoned and ongoing projects initiated by previous ad-ministrations in the state. The re-modelled and digitalized Cross River library, and expansion of Cally Air through the acquisition of two ad-ditional aircrafts recently commis-sioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima are among many of such projects.”
The university lecturer further stated: “Recently there was massive endorsement for Governor Otu’s second term from the central sena-torial district. We also had the same in Cross River South and Cross Riv-er North. So, from all indications, it is very clear that by God’s grace Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu will return as the Executive Governor of Cross River State come 2027. No party in the state can unseat Prince Otu of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. Not even the coali-tion parties. In fact, there is going to be more support coming in from coalition parties. He is definitely going to have massive support from opposition parties. The entire Cross Riverians are pleased with his gover-nance approach regardless of party affiliations.
“I am 101% sure that Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu will get a second term by the grace of God. The reasons are not far-fetched. With his people-first mantra, he has pri-oritized the welfare of the common man. Things have been working well across the state. And above all, there has been relative peace in Cross Riv-er compared to other administra-tions. Regions across the state are peaceful. The man has been able to manage all the existing structures and so far everywhere in the state is peaceful.
“I can assure you that Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is unstop-pable. More so that there is an ex-isting practice in the state where if somebody becomes governor, we allow that particular region to do an average of 8 years, the constitu-tional two terms. This has become a culture. Therefore, it is not going to be healthy in the political culture of Cross River for any other person from any other region to scuttle the political formular of the state. This understanding has been religiously followed since the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.”
The Secretary of Ikom Local Gov-ernment Area (LGA) of Cross River State, Hon Edo Owan Amba, argued that Otu’s superb and remarkable performance should automatically qualify him for a second term.
Hon Amba, a one-time Council-lor for Akparabong ward in Ikom LGA said: “The second term bid of the Governor of Cross River State Apostle Senator Bassey Edet Otu is sacrosanct and almost like a walk in the park for very pertinent reasons.
“One is the lack of formidable opposition in the state as almost all the gladiators in the State have moved to APC and are supporting the Governor.
“Also, his people-first agenda has positively touched the lives of Cross Riverians through the var-ious people-oriented projects and programmes he has initiated since he came on board as Cross River’s governor. And so, it is certain that Cross Riverians won’t hesitate to massively support him for second term.
“Again, the zoning arrangement makes it easier for the governor because he is from the Southern Senatorial District whose turn it is to produce Governor until 2031, after which the Central Senatorial District will take its turn. Therefore, it’s only convenient that the central senatorial district gives its support to him rather than gamble with an-other candidate who constitutional-ly can still insist on a second term beyond 2031. So, any attempt to bring in another person in 2027 would dis-tort the zoning arrangement that has promoted peace and stability in the state.”
In spite of the monumental achievements Sweet Prince is be-lieved to have recorded since he became the Cross River governor, Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, recently mentioned Cross River as one of the seven states where their governors may not return to office for second term in 2027, in a state-ment signed by the Primate’s media aide.
The Special Adviser to Governor Otu on General Duties, Barrister Ek-penyong Akiba, in a quick reaction to the statement attributed to the Primate, maintained that his prin-cipal’s return bid was a foregone conclusion as Cross Riverians had already decided even before his sec-ond year in office.
While noting that Otu’s re-elec-tion was guaranteed, Akiba won-dered what was the basis of the Cler-gyman’s warning to a governor who has been overwhelmingly endorsed by the people across different groups on account of his laudable feats in the various sectors of the state’s economy.
His words: “With due respect to the clergyman, his statement nam-ing His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, as one of the governors that may not win re-election in 2027 is base-less, and therefore unacceptable to the good people of Cross River State. Such a prophecy or thought about a governor that is working tirelessly round the clock to bring succour to his people and make life bearable for them can never come true.
“I have maximum respect for the man of God. I honour his priesthood. But I take total exception to his mes-sage. The re-election of our amiable governor is guaranteed, no man can stop it. Otu is God-sent to Cross Rive-rians and he is evidently running the affairs of the state with the fear of God and His guidance.
“Prince Bassey Otu is a phenom-enon, an apostle and pastor living up to his mandate as Cross River helmsman. His empowerment his-tory right from when he was a parlia-mentarian in the National Assembly during which he earned the sobri-quet, Sweet Prince, has remained unbroken. In the history of Cross River State, no governor covered the mileage Sweet Prince has covered in two years in terms of meaning-ful impact made and achievements recorded. Just look at the endorse-ments everywhere across the state.
“So, how can the Primate be warning a governor that has won the hearts of his people with his monumental achievements within two years in office? We are talking about a governor that is construct-ing and repairing roads every-where, building and upgrading healthcare centres, paying medical bills, paying backlog of gratuity to retirees, opening up Cross River for investment opportunities, offering free education to primary school pu-pils, saving parents/guardians from financial burden by paying WAEC fees for their wards, employing youths and creating jobs for Cross Riverians.
“Based on the facts on ground about his performance, I am con-vinced that Otu will easily secure a second term. That is my own proph-ecy and it will surely come to pass by the grace of God Almighty because it is based on facts.”
