By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has declared that the state will deliver all 18 local government areas for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was cheated in the 2023 election, when it won only seven local government areas.
Otu spoke in Calabar on Sunday during an inspection of preparations for President Tinubu’s campaign rally scheduled for Monday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
“You will find our elder statesmen, men and women, and all the youths to welcome Mr President tomorrow. It’s a great day for us,” the Governor said.
Asked what Cross Riverians should expect from the President’s visit, Otu said the state was working to strengthen its relationship with Tinubu.
“He has done well with us. There are things Cross River placed before him, and he has already taken decisions on many of them.
“All we want is for him to show here as a great Cross Riverian, because this is the home of Jagaban. We are already supporting him. We are moving to the next level. Almost all the positive things done here are with his support,” Otu said.
He added that the President’s visit would provide an opportunity to review developments in the state and discuss future plans.
“He’s coming to probably hear some of it and then know the future, how it’s going to be, but I assure you, moving forward, it’s progress all the way,” he said.
Responding to a question about the APC’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, when it won only seven local government areas in Cross River State, Otu was emphatic.
“It’s 18 over 18. It’s 18 over 18. They cheated us in that election. It’s 18 over 18 this time,” he declared.
He added: “You can see the energy. You can see the electric. It’s going to vibrate like this till tomorrow. No stopping. No stopping. See all of you tomorrow.”
Also speaking, the Director of Organisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Osita Izunaso, said Cross River State was ready for the rally after inspecting the stadium and preparations for the event.
“We have gone round the stadium and can see Cross River is ready. We want to thank Governor Otu for the effort he has put in to host tomorrow’s mega rally.
“Everywhere is electrified, everywhere is charged for Mr President. What is happening here is just the tip of the iceberg. We are impressed, satisfied. Tomorrow, Cross River is gone. Cross River is indeed a goal,” he said.
Izunaso urged Cross Riverians to remain on the right political path by supporting the APC in the 2027 elections.
“Vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Vote for our governor, 18 over 18. Vote for all our senators, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members. It’s APC all the way.
“From what you have seen now, you can see tomorrow will be a bomb and a blast. We don’t have any fear about tomorrow’s mobilisation. It has already been done,” he concluded.
