By Princewill Kingston
The decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State to hand over its 2027 governorship and deputy governorship tickets to Gov Bassey Edet Otu and his Deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, has been greeted with mixed reaction
Recall that in a move described by political watchers as unprecedented masterstrokes, the APC had, last week said it picked Gov Otu and his Deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, as its flagbearers for the 2027 governorship elections.
The APC, which made the declaration in Calabar, through a statement signed by its publicity Secretary, Hon. Achu Moses Ojang said the “All Progressive Congress, Cross River State Chapter grants automatic ticket to His Excellency, Apostle Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu and his deputy, H. E. Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey as APC sole candidates for the office of Governor and Deputy Governor of Cross River State for the 2027 general election.
“Apart from the Governor and his deputy, no other party member will be granted automatic ticket from councillorship, Chairmanship, State House of Assembly to National Assembly.
“The party also enjoined all elected representatives on the platform of the party ranging from councillors, chairmen of councils, House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senators including all those aspiring to contest subsequent elections to return to their constituents to seek their blessings and support as there is no automatic ticket for anyone except for the Governor, H. E. Apostle Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu and His Deputy. H.E. Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey.”
Political watchers said this declaration has effectively shut the door against anyone who may have contemplated squaring it up with the Odukpani-born Governor for the plum job.
This is coming barely three weeks after the Forum of Special Advisers, in a press conference, endorsed the Governor to continue beyond 2027.
Our reporter, who went round the Calabar metropolis for reactions of Cross Riverians submitted that while a greater percentage of respondents thumped up the APC for the move, few others expressed dissatisfaction.
Party’s Decision Unilateral but in Order – Ekpenyong Akiba
In a chat, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barr Ekpenyong Akiba said the party’s decision was in order since every political party would ordinarily pitch tent with someone who would win elections for them
Barrister Akiba said the State government did not influence the said decision, adding “political parties are known as vehicles that transport every candidate to his political destination or anticipated political office but not an appendage of government.
“The party is independent. Many also say that the party is supreme. So, the position taken by the party is devoid of any consultation, devoid of any knowledge of, or pressure from His Excellency, The Governor.
“The party has its own businesses and activities and can on its own decide whatever they want and can hold their opinion and view without necessarily bringing in the government.”
Possible Reasons for the Automatic Ticket
According to Barrister Akiba, “Politics is all about winning election. The APC, as a political party, would ordinarily go for candidates that will win elections, candidates that will be productive, candidates that will continue to make their party relevant and enviable, candidates they are sure of in terms of performance.
“The Governor we have today has come around several miles too early, and he has taken several positive steps in governance thereby making the party to endorse him for his second term. So, for me, every right-thinking politician, every successful politician, every aspiring politician that wants to be successful will go for the best.
“Just like the premiership. If you are a star player, the figures on your contract papers could tripled because of your performance. And your club will do everything to keep you. That’s why you see players, renewing their contracts from 2025 to 2031. This is because, they don’t want to lose that star player. Prince Bassey Otu is such a star player in this game of politics.
“Prince Bassey Otu is a candidate that can attract interest from several other political parties. Prince Bassey Otu can win elections from any political party. So, what the APC did was to move ahead to secure their bride, because the governor is a beautiful bride worth securing.
For me, I think the reason for His Excellency’s sudden endorsement as a sole candidate ahead of even the party guidelines, ahead of even the party primary calendar, is because the governor has covered a wide field several times over within one year and ten months in office. It’s because the governor has shown purposeful leadership. It’s because the governor has kept his campaign promises.
You’ll agree with me that the Governor has shown sincerity of purpose. He’s been a prudent manager of our resources and has also brought economic and infrastructural transformation. The Governor has been able to rejig our security architecture. Calabar today is on the international map as a tourist destination.”
Endorsement Democratic – Akiba
When told that the sole candidacy issue may not be democratic, The Special Adviser said “The position of the party is that, whereas the incumbent Governor is delivering, it’s sheer stupidity to change a team that is winning.
“We must not forget that APC, as a party, has in its constitution consensus building mechanism. So, when you talk about a democratic process, you shouldn’t also forget about conventional processes that build democratic process. In APC, conventional approach encourages processes which arrive at a sole candidacy.
“So, the party may have followed one of its conventional processes or provisions in its constitution, which allows for a consensus. I reiterate that consensus is one of the provisions in APC constitution that culminates into a sole candidacy. So, for me, the party is in order.”
Automatic Ticket’ll Boost Performance – Ekanem Essien
Seemingly corroborating, another respondent, Citizen Ekanem Essien, who spoke through his social media platform, said “Governor Bassey Otu and his Deputy are running the people’s centric administration in Cross River State.
“And, by this singular gesture done them by the APC Cross River State Working Committee, I can tell you for free that it will boost their morale to do more than before for the State.”
Automatic Ticket – A distraction, Says Esien Asuquo
Another respondent, Esien Ita Asuquo said “I think they should allow the incumbent government to focus on its ongoing people-oriented projects and massive economic development.
“Cross River has been in economic coma and infrastructural deficit for the past 16 years and this shouldn’t be a time to distract our working (performing) Governor by the party taking decisions that would breed political squabble of any form. This state needs a holistic support from everyone if we must revive it to meet the standard of others in Nigeria.”
Extend Automatic Ticket to All Elective Positions – Mfam Asu
In another reaction, a strong APC member from the Central senatorial district, Comrade Mfam Mbia Asu, said automatic ticket should be extended to others as well.
Stating his opinion in his social media platform, Asu saw automatic ticket for only the Governor and his Deputy as “a deliberate plot to heat the party,” maintaining that the tenure of APC State Exco members who came up with the idea would expire by October this year.
“Some of them will not return to the State Executive Committee of the Party to have the opportunity to decide who gets what ahead of 2027.
“In as much as I sincerely commend the fantastic job of the Governor and his Deputy, I condemn in strong terms the decision of some few people who are not even sure of returning back to the State Exco this year to play a mind game on the Governor to ensure that they are all returned as APC State Executive Committee members in this year’s State Congress.
“If this is not a clear case of mischief, aggrandizement and ulterior motive, why excluding other elected public office holders under the platform of the Party from getting automatic ticket?
“There is an adage that says that he who goes to equity must go with clean hands. Thus, if at all the leadership of the Party in the State has the powers to give automatic ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, they should extend it to all first timers in the National Assembly and State Assembly,” he stated.
Let God Decide – Odobi
For Odobi Innocent “Everyone has the constitutional power to vote and be voted for, henceforth the ballot should not exclude rather encompass everybody who wishes to go for the position of the number one citizen of the state. Man propose God disposes.”
