2027: C' River APC Endorses Otu/Odey Governorship Ticket, Says Other Elective Positions Contestable
By Ndifereke BASSEY
Ahead of 2027 general elections, the Cross River State All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared that only the state Governor, Bassey Otu, and the deputy, Peter Odey, have been granted automatic tickets by the party.
The party in a press briefing on Monday at it's secretariat in Calabar, said all political aspirants in the party can begin consultations for the 2027 general elections as it has no automatic tickets for them.
The state chairman, Alphonsus Eba, who made the disclosure said it has become imperative to enable the party plan ahead.
According to Eba, apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual has been given an automatic ticket by the party.
He explained that the decision to grant only Otu/Odey automatic tickets is based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”
He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party will still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.
“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.
Some stakeholders who spoke to THE BEAGLES NEWS after reading what APC leadership said at the briefing, expressed shock that Eba can hurriedly rush to media to give automatic ticket to Otu and deny serving NASS members and State Assembly members the same automatic tickets.
They stakeholder argue that what is good for the goos is good for the gander, adding that this attitude of partisanship breeds rancour and disunity among party members.
A party chieftain, who spoke off record, said they are not surprised at the granting of automatic tickets to only Otu/Odey and denying the Lawmakers at national and state levels.
According to the chieftain, "Eba is simply playing a script and we know. But when the time comes we shall all cross the bridge.
"All I can say is that nobody should play God ahead of 2027. You don't treat people with levity and expect them to fold their hands."
Recall that there has been an avalanche of endorsements for Gov Otu by some political groups, calling on Otu to run for a second term.
THE BEAGLE NEWS gathered
