By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A political support group, operating in Cross River State under the aegis of Cross River State Political Network, CRISPON, has declared full backing for the second term bids of the governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement and declaration of support was made during a rally in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State for all All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates in the Cross River Northern senatorial district.
CRISPON Director-General, Dr Michael Nku Abuo, told members of the support group to return to their wards and polling units to mobilise voters, stressing that the decision to support the APC was based on the performance of both the federal and state governments.
He said, “As we go back to our respective polling units, as we go back to our respective wards, as we go back to our respective local governments, let us not allow any voter card, any voter slip to be returned.
“We must use all the ballot papers. The more votes we give, the more negotiating power we have at the centre.”
The group praised the Otu administration for ongoing road projects, especially the Calabar-Ogoja road, which Abuo said had significantly reduced travel time.
He, however, appealed for accelerated work on other projects to consolidate support for the governor’s re-election.
He added, “We will tell him to continue to complete the road in Ukelle.
“In Ogoja, there is a road that passes through Buki, part of Buki in Tongubi. They have started, but the pace of work is slow. If it is possible, I will appeal to His Excellency to change that contractor because we are not impressed with the pace of work.”
CRISPON also aligned with Tinubu’s administration, citing federal interventions in the state.
Abuo appealed to the President to help Cross River reclaim its oil wells and sustain support for Governor Otu.
He further listed key demands to strengthen the APC’s chances in 2027, including resolving electricity problems in Bekwarra, establishing a College of Medical Sciences in Yala, expanding facilities at the University of Cross River State, Okuku campus, and the School of Nursing.
He announced that 115 names submitted by the group for empowerment would begin receiving alerts by the end of September.
The deputy governor of Cross River State Rt. Hon Peter Odey, who represented Governor Otu at the event, commended the group for rallying support for Governor Otu and President TInubu ‘s second term bids.
Odey’ said, “CRISPON is the first group of people that he is going to meet here in Cross River North.”
Odey described CRISPON as critical to APC’s victory and urged total mobilisation for both Otu and Tinubu, adding, “Nobody can win the election without CRISPON.”
He expressed confidence that Otu’s mandate would run till 2031 and called on the group to ensure Tinubu’s re-election, highlighting the President’s efforts on Cross River’s oil-producing status and the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
