- Says no vacancy in Government House
- Threatens ‘erring’ members with expulsion
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Not ready to tolerate any internal competition for the Government House, Calabar, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened to expel any member who flouts its decision adopting Governor Bassey Edet Otu as the Party’s sole candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Cross River State.
Accordingly, the ruling party maintained that its unanimous endorsement of Governor Otu to fly the Party’s flag for his second term bid remains sacrosanct and no distraction would be entertained.
The Cross River State Chapter Chairman of APC, Barrister Alphonsus Eba, who issued the threat during the grand finale endorsement rally held at the U. J. Esuene Stadium recently, said there is no vacancy in the State Government House until 2031.
Eba warned that the consequences of going against the Party’s stand will be immediate expulsion and ostracisation of any erring member.
He said greatly impressed with Governor Otu’s scorecard within two years in office, it is natural that such accomplished record of achievements be rewarded with a second term ticket to enable him focus more on delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
The Party Chairman said even a first-time visitor to the State would marvelled at the governor’s impressive performance, especially in terms of delivery on iconic projects such as the completely renovated Governor’s office complex, the State Library, the State Newspaper Corporation, The Nigerian Chronicle, and the urban renewal programme that has given the State capital, Calabar an enviable facelift befitting of a destination of choice for tourists, investors and events planners.
Barrister Eba urged any APC member nursing gubernatorial ambition in the state to pursue his or her political ambition elsewhere because the Party will not tolerate any form of distraction going into the next general elections.
He said instead of spending time, energy and resources on internal politicking that is likely to generate unnecessary wranglings and create bad blood, it is important that every party members close ranks and return to his or her constituency to work and ensure a resounding victory for APC come 2027 polls.
In acknowledging the privilege and also appreciating the confidence reposed in him by the APC State chapter, Governor Otu pledged to redouble his efforts toward ensuring that such trust is not misplaced.
He urged party faithfuls, yet to benefit from his ‘People’s First’ mantra philosophy to exercise a little more patience, assuring that measures are already in place to spread more appointments and empowerment packages to all those who worked for the success of the party during the 2023 elections.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke has given kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the significant developments witnessed in the country in the last two years.
Chief Edem, who spoke in an interview at the sidelines during the endorsement ceremony, said based on his experience serving for five years as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), it is no mean task having the President demonstrate the type of unfazed courage in a country with such diverse culture, ethnic biases and high population density.
Chief Duke further stated that such rare courage deserves to be encouraged if the country must move forward to the expected heights of development and economic glory.
