As a prelude to the Ikom, Boki, Obubra, and Etung (IBOE) Alliance Dinner scheduled for Tuesday evening, political leaders and stakeholders from the 10 wards of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have closed ranks behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting, held on Tuesday morning at the residence of the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, in Calabar, was also aimed at further informing and mobilising key stakeholders on the alliance fostered among Ikom, Boki, Obubra and Etung, with a common objective of securing electoral victories for the APC across the four local government areas.
The stakeholders pledged to mobilise across the 10 wards of Etung to secure victory for the APC and its candidates at all levels in the 2027 general elections.
Held under the banner of the Etung IBOE Alliance with the theme, “One Purpose, One Vision,” the meeting also saw the stakeholders endorse Oden Ewa for the Senate, Blessing Egbara for the House of Representatives and Dr. Erim Agbor Owor for the State House of Assembly.
Addressing the gathering, the host, Prof. Owan Enoh, said the prevailing political atmosphere in Etung had made it imperative for the people to unite, speak with one voice and pitch their tents with the ruling APC.
He said the local government had emerged stronger and more politically consolidated, expressing confidence that Etung would deliver a 5/5 result for the APC in the 2027 elections.
Enoh described Governor Otu’s second-term bid as non-negotiable, saying the people of Etung had a duty to reciprocate the Governor’s support for the local government, particularly his considerable inclusion of Etung indigenes in his administration.
He called for sustained unity and grassroots mobilisation, stressing that the political gains recorded under the present administration should be consolidated through the ballot box.
Also speaking, the member representing Etung State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Kingsley Ntui Isong, said the stakeholders were united in their determination to secure victory for President Tinubu, Governor Otu and all APC candidates.
Ntui Isong charged political leaders and ward stakeholders to return to their respective communities and intensify mobilisation, urging them to “straighten every crooked line” in preparation for the elections.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, declared that Etung was firmly behind Governor Otu and the APC, assuring that the local government would deploy its political strength to deliver the party’s candidates.
Agbor challenged leaders across the 10 wards to raise the tempo of grassroots mobilisation, insisting that the responsibility for securing victory rested with stakeholders at the ward and community levels.
He pledged that any ward that delivers 100 per cent votes for Governor Otu and the other APC candidates would be honoured with an award of gratitude, urging the stakeholders to remain resolute and committed to the campaign.
Those in attendance included Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, Hon. Kingsley Ntui Isong, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, Hon. Patrick Ebam Emanghe, Ntufam Collins Ogar, Ntufam Hon. Godwin Etim John (former LG Chairman), Emmanuel Ndum, current Chapter Chairman of APC, Bassey Agbor of Asia Africa, Hon. Okomah Inyang (former LG Chairman), Hon. Michael Kajang Obaji, Dr. Cyril Abang Agbor, ward chairmen, Emily Njah Maduake, Hon. Cyprian Abang Attah and Prince Cosmas Ebori Nku, among others.
