2023: Senator Otu Consults Cross River Former Lawmakers
As preparations for the forthcoming Party primaries picks up pace, Frontline gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu yesterday consulted the Cross River State Former lawmakers forum.
Accompanying Sen. Otu during the visit were notable members of his campaign team, including Rt. Hon. Chris Eta, former member of the House of representatives for Ikom/Boki Federal constituency, Prof. Patrick Egaga, Chief Felix Edem, Chief Bassey Offiong, Ntufam Hon. Ekpo Iso, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar among other political leaders.
Addressing the former lawmakers, Sen. Otu said his visit was to officially inform them of his intention to contest the 2023 governorship election.
“I am deeply honored and privileged to address this forum today. As a member of this family and constituency, my coming here today is for us to discuss the affairs of the state.”
“We have been through a lot as a state. We lost Bakassi and our oil wells, and most of the time, what we get from FAAC, comes with a negative balance.. If Governor Ayade had not been endowed with some degree of ingenuity, if he was not blessed with superior intellect, It would have been extremely difficult for us.
“In our search for the next governor of the state, we must take these three things into consideration, we must look for a man with robust experience, a man who has the connection with the grassroot, a man whose name reverberates across the entire three senatorial district of the state, a man with the right international connections and who can open doors for us in Abuja.
“In all humility, I am tested and trusted. I have the requisite international exposure to pilot the affairs of this state. It is with this that with utmost humility but with all sense of sincerity, I come here today to inform you that I am fully ready to run for the office of governor of Cross River State come 2023.
Responding, the coordinator of the forum, Hon. Mkpanam Obo, expressed delight at the aspiration of Senator Otu who he described as a man whose extraordinary footprints has remained a reference point for empowerments in the state.
He said the forum is more comfortable with Senator Otu at the helm of affairs because of his remarkable experience, contacts and high public acceptability and most importantly because he understands the challenges of former lawmakers. He assured that the forum will support their own in ensuring he secures the ticket.
Speaking for the Southern Senatorial District, a former State House member, Hon. Bassey Akiba, said after he completed his term as Local Government Chairman in 2010, he was asked to go to the State Assembly, but he preferred the House of Representatives. He said his preference for the House of Representatives was because of Prince Otu’s exceptional and resounding impact while at the House of Representatives.
He said Prince Otu’s grassroot followership is because his representation traversed across the state. As a lawmaker, he offered employment and empowerment opportunities to all Crossriverians and became a beacon of hope for the common man. He said the forum will give maximum support to ensure Prince Otu emerges as the party’s flagbearer
Rt. Hon. Abu Abu who spoke for the Central Senatorial District described Prince Otu as the perfect man for the job of the next governor of the State, he noted that Prince Otu understood the mechanism and challenges of the State and has always been emphatic in his commitments to the State.
He said the members of the Central Senatorial district are fully committed to ensuring Otu clinches the ticket.
Speaking for the Northern Senatorial district, Rt. Hon. Justin Ukpe said “Senator Otu’s popularity which cuts across party lines is an asset which the APC must consider in the choice of the Party’s flagbearer”. He said “power comes from God and I believe he has divinely ordained this era for the emergence of Prince Otu to pilot the affairs of the State”
He assured of a 100% support from members of the Northern Senatorial district.
