The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River has declared Governor Bassey Otu and his deputy, Peter Odey, as the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election.
During a meeting at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s chairman, Alphonsus Eba, encouraged other aspirants to begin consultations with their constituents.
He emphasized that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other aspirant had been granted an automatic ticket.
Eba explained that the decision was made in line with the party’s commitment to continuity, stating that “a winning team should not be changed.”
He confirmed that both the State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee had agreed to back Otu’s re-election bid.
He further stated that even if the governor was reluctant to contest, the party would still present his name as its sole candidate, just as it did in 2022.
He urged Otu to consider the wishes of party members and accept the nomination.
Eba also commended the deputy governor, who is currently serving as the acting governor, for aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s stance on the situation in Rivers State.
He criticized those who misrepresented the state’s position and acknowledged the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not sought his input before opposing Tinubu’s decision.
Additionally, Eba praised the president’s efforts in maintaining peace in Rivers, preventing any potential political unrest.
