11 Aggrieved C' River Assembly Members Visit RTIFN National Office, Hold Strategic Meeting With Hon Egede
By Missang AKPET
Eleven aggrieved members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have visited the national secretariat of Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN), where they held a strategic meeting with the National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation, Hon. Innocent Egede.
The delegation led by the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo included, Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta, Abi State Constituency (Deputy Leader);; Hon. Egbe Abeng Egbe, Obubra II; Hon. Ovat Dickson Agbor, Obubra I; Hon. Ashakia Pius Ashakia, Obanliku; Hon. Victor Nsa, Calabar South II; Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey, Akpabuyo; Hon. Eyo Bassey, Bakassi; Hon. Okon Nyong Owona, Akamkpa I; Hon. Mercy Akpama, Yakurr II and Hon. Kingsley Ntui - Etung
The lawmakers during the meeting reaffirmed their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but expressed reservations about extending same support to other APC candidates in the state, including Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
The lawmakers position is reportedly linked to their exclusion from the APC's ticket arrangements for the forthcoming elections. While some of them are seeking a third term and others a second term, they alleged that the party leadership has shut them out despite the Governor pursuing a second term.
In his response, Hon. Egede, who is a strong advocate for the re-election of both President Tinubu and Governor Otu, appealed to the lawmakers to reconsider their position and work for the victory of all APC candidates in the state.
He warned that a divided front could undermine the party's overall performance and affect the President's electoral fortunes in Cross River.
According to him, the movement has set a target of delivering 600,000 votes for President Tinubu in Cross River State, a feat he said requires a united and coordinated political structure across all constituencies.
Following the engagement, Hon. Egede led the delegation to a meeting with the Director-General of the group, Hon. Bala Ahmed, who also appealed to the legislators to remain aligned with the broader objectives of the APC.
As part of efforts to douse tension and strengthen mobilisation, Hon. Bala Ahmed pledged to integrate the aggrieved lawmakers into the operational structure of the national body, subject to the directive of Barr. Seyi Tinubu, founder of the movement.
