Day Central Stakeholders Spoke in Unison, Declare No Vacancy at Aso Rock, Peregrino House
Judex OKORO, Missang AKPET and Ebi COLLINS
The political atmosphere across the country is gathering momentum. Two years away from 2027 general elections, political activities is almost at a boiling point. The 2027 is still a dog's age. But across the country, the political class and elected office holders have come out of their comfort zone because nobody wants to be freezedout. The zero hour has begun in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The sing-song is "No Vacancy in Aso Rock." To the professional politicians, the on-going endorsement and adoptions have brought in a new lease of life to the system.
And Cross River state chapter of PAC is not left out in the race for 2027. The party has blazed the trail by being the first state to officially "endorse" President Bola Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu and the Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey after its State Working Committee (SWC) meeting held in Calabar recently.
According to them, the trio have done exceptionally well that they deserve another term of fours thereby bringing their reign in office till 2031. To Cross River APC, these offices and the occupants are sacred cows that no one dares to touch. At the drop of a hat, political groups have started re-grouping including NORTHCO and Central Progressives Initiative (CPI). According to them, Presidency, Otu and Odey tickets are "signed, sealed and delivered."
Stakeholders storm Ikom
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, APC bigwigs from central senatorial district, under the umbrella of Central Progressives Initiative (CPI) stormed Ikom for the endorsement rally held at Ikom Stadium in Ikom local government area. Personages present include the Minister of Industry, Sen. John Owan Enjoy, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, Speaker Elvert Ayambem, former Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, House of Reps Members, House of Assembly members, Amb Sony Abang and Chief Chris Agara.
Other dignitaries were State APC Exco led by the party chairman, Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Chairmen of the 6 local government areas that make up the central senatorial district, Councilors, commissioners, Special advisers and other political appointees from the central senatorial district.
As characteristics of Nigeria political system, elected political office holders and those angling to take over
mobilised their groups and each wearing various T-shirts and faze caps with various inscriptions to add colour to the epoch-making event. Some major streets were decorated with banners hailing Governor Otu and calling on him to continue his good works, while others bear some inscription “4 plus 4,” “till 2031,”Old Obubra for Senate till 2031 and ”No changing the winning team.”
The six local government chairmen of Yakuur, Abi, Obubra, Ikom, Etung and Boki that make up central senatorial district were not left out as they equally mobilized party faithful and support groups who wore colourful campaign shirts. The six local government councils, led by their chairmen, showcased their political and cultural identity parade signifying unalloyed support for Tinubu and Otu’s administrations.
Otu, Tinubu earn unified endorsement for 2027
In a display of unity and political clarity, party stalwarts, federal and state legislators, commissioners, and grassroots leaders spoke with one voice. Analysts described it as a “resounding consensus rally. The motion for endorsement was moved by Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, the lawmaker representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, and was seconded by Dr. Davis Eta of Abi State constituency. Former Governor Clement Ebri, who chaired the event, subsequently called for a voice vote, which received unanimous approval.
In his speech, Senator Williams declared that the people and leaders of Central Cross River were united in their support for Governor Otu’s re-election. According to him, while the governor has already delivered significant development strides, the people are encouraging him to “do more.” The applause and support he receives are not just expressions of satisfaction but a clear message for him to continue delivering good governance. The decision to back the governor is not arbitrary but reflects a consensus among all central leaders, who were fully present and in agreement,” Williams said. He stressed that no credible challenger could emerge from the region, noting that as the duly elected representative of the district, he was mandated to move the motion on behalf of the people.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly and Chairman of CPI, gave the rally’s keynote, reflecting on the Central District’s political journey from fragmentation to rebirth. “We drifted offshore into an uncharted sea,” he said, “but today marks the rehabilitation, restoration, and re-migration of the sleeping giant.”
Ayambem saluted both past and present leaders, but emphasized that unity and productivity must now define Central’s politics. He praised the performances of Governor Otu and President Tinubu and formally moved the motion to endorse both leaders for re-election in 2027. “The reward for hard work is more work,” he declared, urging Central to reclaim its leadership role as the “headquarters and backbone of Cross River politics.”
Speaking, the former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri, declared his full backing for Governor Otu’s second term, citing the governor’s exceptional leadership and results-driven governance. “Governor Bassey Edet Otu has in under two years done what most people never expected would happen in this state,” Ebri said. “You don’t change a winning team.”
Ebri commended Otu-Odey administration for its prudence, clarity of purpose, and ability to govern effectively despite economic challenges. He likened the administration’s progress to signals recognized by experienced leaders: “For those of us who have been there before, you see certain signs and know the person is heading in the right direction.”
He also restated his faith in President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting, “You cannot make omelets without breaking eggs.” Addressing the strategic importance of the Central Senatorial District, Ebri urged stakeholders to maintain their pivotal role in Cross River’s political balance, stating, “Being central means you are the link to the left and to the right. We must play that role very, very well.”
Former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba added his voice in support of both Governor Otu and President Tinubu, declaring the endorsement timely and necessary. “It is good we endorse him now so he can concentrate on his work and not be distracted by politics,” he asserted. Recalling the tradition of zoning and uninterrupted two-term leadership per senatorial district, he stressed that Otu should be allowed to govern for eight years in peace.
Elder Bolaji Anani echoed this sentiment with a powerful metaphor: “Who are we in Central? We are the fulcrum of Cross River politics. Where we go, the results follow.” He noted the unity and resolve of the Central District, reaffirming their backing of “the People’s Prince” and President Tinubu, whom he praised for transformative leadership in infrastructure, healthcare, and solar energy deployment.
Ambassador Soni Abang brought the weight of strategic foresight to the conversation, declaring that the time to prepare for 2027 is now. “We are putting our house in order early. By 2027, we should be dancing, not campaigning,” he said. Citing Governor Otu’s track record — debt reduction, pension payments, revived Obudu Ranch, and infrastructural investments — Abang asserted that the 2027 election may be a one-horse race, and called on Boki and all of Central to consolidate their backing.
Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, reaffirmed the Central zone’s role as the political heartbeat of Cross River. “When the Central speaks, the entire state listens,” he declared. Having been the first to publicly endorse Governor Otu back in January 2024, Enoh saw the rally as grassroots validation of the same vision. He praised President Tinubu’s fiscal policies and infrastructural initiatives like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, urging full support for both leaders moving into 2027.
Hon. Edema Irom, Commissioner for Women Affairs, delivered a passionate endorsement from the women of Central. “Sweet Prince has done well,” she said, praising Governor Otu’s inclusive leadership that has given women unprecedented representation in government. “Cross River State has the highest number of female commissioners recorded with the UN,” she noted, also lauding the influence of the First Lady whom she referred to as “our voice.”
Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner for Information, declared absolute loyalty among political appointees to both Governor Otu and President Tinubu. “We can’t counter — we are very loyal to our leaders, and we queue behind them,” he said. Reaffirming unity within the governor’s cabinet, Ekpang added, “If you want to say everything His Excellency has done, our planes have landed.”
APC State Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, commended the rally’s organizers, describing the Central Senatorial District as the “place of action” in the state’s political machinery. “The Central region is where the progenitors of everything lie,” he said metaphorically. He invoked the APC constitution to legitimize the rally’s decisions and praised the maturity and clarity of Cross River’s leadership.
The rally ended with patriotic chants, thunderous applause, and a strong sense of solidarity. In unison, the Central APC stakeholders have sent a clear and unmistakable message: come 2027, the ‘People First’ Sweet Prince and the Renewed Hope Agenda must continue and Central Cross River will lead the charge.
