Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will enter the 2027 general elections stronger and more united to consolidate its strongholds in the state and across the country. 

Mr Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, stated this at a 1.5-million-man march in support of President Bola Tinubu and the governor, held in the Ikom metropolis on Sunday. 

The march was organised by a support group, ‘Prince Otu Is Coming Organisation’.

Mr Otu said the party is also banking on federal projects and its governance record to strengthen its position in the state.

He, however, urged party faithful and aspirants to shun divisive tendencies and embrace unity.

“We belong to one political family. There is no need for quarrels or divisions. Everyone has the right to aspire, and at the appropriate time, we will sit together and resolve all issues as one united family,” the governor said.

The rally, which attracted a massive turnout of supporters, stakeholders and party leaders, underscored the growing political momentum in the state.

The governor highlighted key achievements of the administration, particularly in workers’ welfare.

He said that his administration had released money to offset gratuities owed since 2007 and assured that additional funds would be released before mid-year to clear outstanding payments.

While calling for increased voter mobilisation, Otu urged residents to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the electoral process.

According to him, Cross River anticipates no fewer than three million votes for Tinubu in 2027.

On his part, the coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the state, Soni Abang, said that future political campaigns in the state would be anchored on tangible achievements rather than campaign promises.

According to him, the era of speculative campaign pledges is giving way to performance-based engagements where leaders will present completed and ongoing projects to the electorate.

“It is not going to be a campaign of we will do this or that. It will be a campaign of project inspection and commissioning. We want the people to see what has been done,” he said.

Mr Abang expressed confidence in the president’s leadership, noting that despite prevailing global economic challenges, the administration’s reforms were beginning to stabilise key sectors, including food supply and infrastructure development.

He added that the federal government’s commitment to long-term infrastructure projects across the country was a demonstration of strategic planning to reposition Nigeria’s economy.

The director-general of the organisation, Emmanuel Ironbar, called for intensified door-to-door campaigns and deeper grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Mr Ironbar, who is also the governor’s chief of staff, urged supporters to remain focused and embrace peaceful, issue-based politics while rejecting misinformation, slander, and divisive rhetoric.

(NAN)