2027: Okpotu Rallies Yala for Otu’s Second Term
By Ekanem Asuquo
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River State, Dr Julius Okpotu, has urged stakeholders in Yala Local Government Area to intensify mobilisation for the re election of Governor Bassey Otu and the election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Okpotu made the call at a town hall meeting in Wanokom, North Ukelle, where opinion leaders, traditional rulers and youths reaffirmed their commitment to constructive engagement with government.
He said support for Otu was necessary in recognition of the administration’s interventions in Ukelle, particularly the ongoing five kilometre North Ukelle Road project.
According to Okpotu, “the support for Governor Otu has become imperative in appreciation of his deliberate efforts to address the development challenges facing our people.”
He recalled that Otu visited Ukelle shortly after assuming office, touring the six wards before proceeding to the Wanihem Benue border.
Okpotu said the governor subsequently approved the first phase of the North Ukelle Road project on July 1, 2024, adding that the design was later reviewed to meet the requirements of a Trunk A federal road.
He explained that the five kilometre section had difficult soil conditions, with about 85 per cent of the route consisting of swampy and marshy terrain. The revised design, he said, increased the road width from 7.3 metres to 10.3 metres and provided for drainage structures, a mini bridge and asphaltic binder course.
He urged the people to appreciate government interventions while continuing to advocate for the completion of the project to the required standard.
Meanwhile, Elder Dr Hippolatus Lukpata urged Ukelle youths to channel their energy towards peace and development rather than using social media to insult leaders.
“We must learn to address our grievances through dialogue and responsible engagement,” Lukpata said, proposing a Peace, Development and Reconciliation Committee.
The member representing Ukelle in the state House of Assembly, Dr Martins Achadu, also condemned abusive comments against constituted authorities and called for constructive expression of concerns.
The chairman of the Ukelle Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Ubeet Ignatius Olem, urged youths to maintain respectful dialogue with government.
The meeting ended with a communique condemning the commercialisation and politicisation of Ukelle’s development challenges on social media.
Participants also dissociated themselves from abusive online comments, stressing their commitment to development, peace and constructive engagement.I can also make it sharper and more newspaperish at exactly 350 words, with a stronger opening paragraph.
