Cross River APC endorses Otu, deputy for 2027 election

The Cross River State All Progressives Congress have unanimously endorsed the state governor, Bassey Otu and his deputy, Peter Odey, as the party’s sole candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial election.

This was made known on Monday during a press briefing with journalists at the party’s secretariat in Calabar.

The State Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, emphasised the duo’s leadership qualities, loyalty, and governance track record, affirming that “nobody changes a winning team.”

Eba also called on all members and support groups to mobilize for grassroots outreach while reaffirming its stance against unauthorised legal actions in its name.

Addressing concerns over political inclusivity, APC leadership maintained that other positions remain open for contest, except for the governorship and deputy governorship seats.

“It’s almost one year and ten months in office. I have come to show that we made the best choice. They say that one good time deserves another. It’s why we have decided to start, and to make it known, that in front of the Peregrino Government House of Cross River States, the State Working Committee of the party, and the State Executive Committee of the party, met today, and have come and resolved, that Senator Prince Bassi Edet Otu, is our sole candidate for the Governorship election of 2027.

“It was a joint ticket that they had, with His Excellency, the present acting Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, a young man whom we have found so much loyalty, we have seen so much intellect, we have seen so much support base to the Governor.

“In the politics of Cross River State, we want to use this opportunity to make it widely known that anybody who aspires to run for any office apart from the office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the State, those who are already sitting, they have the right to aspire,” he stated.

He added, “Nobody changes a winning team, and we know that the Governor is a man who is filled with wisdom. It is therefore the decision of this party that these two best pairs, by the special grace of God, will fly the flag of our party in 2027.

“All party members, support groups, are therefore commissioned to freely go into the field, and to continue the evangelical mission that will now take them to the field. Nobody speaks to the converted. We need to do more work, with our brothers and sisters in the opposition, to join hands with us.

He praised Otu and his deputy for their alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, asserting “it was a necessary step to prevent conflict escalation.”