Neighbor2Neighbor Scores Otu High, Targets 1m Votes For 2027
By Missang AKPET
The Neighbour2Neighbour 4 Sweet Prince Political Network has rated the governor Otu led administration high in terms of infrastructure and human capital development.
Briefing pressmen after it's statewide tour, the Director General of the support group Dr. Bobby Ekpenyong said the level of developmental projects on ground as seen during the tour has strengthened its resolve to mobilize over one million votes for Governor Bassey Otu's second term bid in 2027.
Ekpenyong said the group started the tour on August 23, 2026, traversing the three senatorial districts to see things for themselves and listen to the people.
He said the group observed ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state, noting the completion and commissioning of the Local Government Service Commission Complex in Calabar, ongoing Obudu Cargo Airport which is about 95 per cent complete under the present administration, while work has progressed substantially on the Governor's Lodge in Ikon and Presidential Residence in Ogoja.
"We wanted to see the state for ourselves, listen to its people and understand how government policies were affecting communities. Governance must be assessed through evidence, not merely speeches or social media narratives," he said.
On employment, Ekpenyong said youths still list jobs as their top demand. He cited government reports indicating recruitment of about 4,000 Local Government workers, approval of 2,500 personnel into the state civil service in 2024, and a fresh approval of 4,000 LGA employment opportunities in September 2026 while retaining 821 personnel from an earlier exercise.
Ekpenyong said residents in many communities appreciated Otu's People First philosophy and efforts to revive assets like the State Library, Cultural Centre and Tinapa, but also called for more jobs, better roads, healthcare and inclusive growth.
On politics, he said conversations turned to 2027, with some residents expressing support for Otu and reservations about the PDP candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, over experience and administrative capacity.
He stressed that those were opinions encountered during engagement and not a scientific survey, adding that democracy thrives when candidates records are scrutinized.
The group however urged him to complete ongoing infrastructures, revive more industries, expand youth opportunities, strengthen education and healthcare, spread investment across the three senatorial districts and implement programmes transparently across all local governments
Giving its verdict, the network maintained that after appraising Otu's scorecard amid dwindling resources, Cross Riverians have compelling reasons to reaffirm confidence in him for a second term to consolidate gains.
"We stand with the Sweet Prince and the vision of continuity, consolidation and sustained development" Ekpenyong declared.
He said the group will continue community outreach, voter education and issues based advocacy in pursuant of its one million votes target peacefully without intimidation.
