2027: Otu fires warning, says C’River won’t go to political rookies

Williams Akpan, Calabar

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has fired a strong warning to politicians eyeing elective positions in 2027, saying the state will not be handed over to political novices.

Otu spoke at the weekend after returning to Calabar from national engagements. He was welcomed at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport by APC members, loyalists and well-wishers.

The governor, while reacting to the early political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, said Cross River had suffered enough from what he called trial-and-error leadership.

Governor Otu declared, “The state is not for experiment. We have gone past that.”

He challenged those planning to contest for political offices to come forward with their records, insisting that ambition alone was not enough to qualify anyone to lead the state.

Governor Otu said, “Every relationship we have gone into, we have had antecedents. We cannot play with the future of Cross Riverians anymore. So if you want to come out, let us see your antecedents. Let us see what you have done. You cannot just wake up from anywhere and jump into the contest.”

Otu said his administration had recorded significant progress in its first three years, despite the challenges inherited when it assumed office.

He said the administration had worked to revive moribund government assets, expand the economic base and increase the state’s GDP, while spreading development interventions across key sectors.

Governor Otu said, “What we have done in the space of three years is something that a lot of people marvel… it is by divine intervention.”

Despite the challenges confronting the state, the governor expressed optimism that his administration would sustain its development agenda.

Governor Otu declared, “Forward ever, backward never. Nothing can take us back. Cross River is headed for the next level.”

Speaking on the national economy, Otu praised President Bola Tinubu for his economic reforms, saying the position of Nigeria’s three major international credit-rating agencies reflected growing confidence in the country.

He said Nigerians were waiting to feel the impact of the reforms in their daily lives, adding that the benefits must eventually reach ordinary citizens.

He also assured APC members that appointments and opportunities would be distributed over time.

Governor Otu said: “Everybody cannot be a billionaire at the same time. We cannot all hold positions at the same time. But what I want to assure you is that it will go around, and it will touch everyone.”

The governor finally urged party supporters to return to the grassroots and build genuine relationships with the people instead of relying on social-media noise.

Governor Otu said, “Remember, the thing is not social media. It is how you relate with people, and this is People First Government.”

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