Cross River State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has committed to delivering at least 1.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The pledge, led by State Governor Bassey Otu, was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the Calabar International Convention Centre on Monday.
The meeting, convened by Governor Otu, gathered key party figures including former National Women Leader and Minister Dr. Betta Edu, the state’s National Assembly members, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, party executives, and representatives from youth and women groups. In his address, Governor Otu appealed to the federal government to support the reclamation of Cross River’s oil wells and the restoration of its full littoral status. He urged reliance on verified reservoir coordinates and existing technical reports to validate the state’s claim as an oil-producing entity. Otu also requested increased federal appointments for Cross River indigenes to enhance participation in the Renewed Hope Agenda and strengthen grassroots mobilisation.
Dr. Betta Edu, speaking separately, called for intensified voter education and inclusive engagement ahead of 2027. She expressed confidence in the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda reaching all residents and backed the governor’s calls for presidential intervention to restore the state’s economic standing. Edu emphasised the need for coordinated efforts across wards and local governments to consolidate electoral gains, stating her commitment to delivering maximum votes for both President Tinubu and Governor Otu.
National Assembly members from the state also pledged to bolster mobilisation within their constituencies. The stakeholders collectively reaffirmed their aim to secure a decisive electoral mandate for Tinubu and Otu’s second-term bid, echoing the party’s position from May 2025.
The demand for oil well restoration references a longstanding dispute. Over 100 oil wells were discovered in Cross River’s estuary, but their status has been contested. Separately on Monday, Akwa Ibom State’s Attorney General, Uko Udom, SAN, countered media reports suggesting the 76 wells awarded to Akwa Ibom via Supreme Court judgments might be returned to Cross River, stating “nothing has been ceded.” This underscores the complex economic and political dimensions underlying Cross River’s mobilisation strategy.
The meeting served both as a unity rally for APC faithful and a strategic planning session for the 2027 elections, linking electoral support directly to federal recognition of the state’s resource claims and developmental needs.
