We’ll repay Tinubu, Otu with bloc votes, says group

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON) has pledged to deliver bloc votes to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

The group said the support was in appreciation of what it described as federal and state interventions in Cross River State, particularly the restoration of the state’s oil-producing status and the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.

Speaking at an endorsement rally in the Northern Senatorial District, held in Ogoja, the Director-General of CRISPON, Dr Michael Nku Abuo, said the decision was informed by the achievements of the Tinubu and Otu administrations.

“We’ll repay Tinubu with bloc votes over oil wells and Bakassi Seaport,” Abuo said. “The more votes we give, the more negotiating power we have at the centre.”

He urged members of the group to mobilise voters at the polling unit and ward levels ahead of the 2027 elections. “As we go back to our respective polling units, wards and local government areas, let us not allow any voter’s card to be returned. We must use all the ballot papers,” he said.

Abuo commended Governor Otu for ongoing road projects, particularly the Calabar-Ogoja road, but appealed for accelerated intervention in Ukelle and Boki areas. He also called for a review of the contract for the Ukelle road project, citing the slow pace of work.

The CRISPON director-general listed other demands tied to the group’s 2027 support, including addressing electricity challenges in Bekwarra Local Government Area; establishing a College of Medical Sciences in Yala; expanding facilities at the University of Cross River State’s Okuku campus; and upgrading the School of Nursing and College of Health Technology. He further urged the Federal Government to support Cross River in reclaiming its oil wells and called on President Tinubu to sustain his support for Governor Otu.

In his remarks, the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Odey, who represented Governor Otu, called for support for the governor and President Tinubu’s re-election bid. 

Odey cited the President’s role in restoring Cross River’s oil-producing status and supporting the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport as reasons for the group’s support.

The rally, which attracted party stakeholders from the five local government areas in the Northern Senatorial District, ended with endorsements of Tinubu, Otu and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.