In a strategic move to consolidate political gains, stakeholders in the Bakassi Local Government Area have formally declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu in the 2027 general elections.
The gathering, which included a diverse group of former and current political office holders, elected officials, and appointees, commenced at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chapter Secretariat before proceeding to the Local Government Council Secretariat. The delegation met with the Council Chairman, as well as various council appointees and workers, to align their political objectives.
Hon. Patrick Antigha Ene, the pro-tem leader of the Bakassi Elders’ Forum and former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, highlighted the significant milestones achieved under the current administrations. He emphasized that the federal and state governments have addressed long-standing issues critical to the Bakassi people.
“There are many silent achievements that the people of Bakassi can credit to the federal and state governments,” Hon. Ene stated. He specifically noted President Tinubu’s unwavering support for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, which is currently awaiting a formal flag-off date. Furthermore, he pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a transformative reality that will serve as a vital evacuation corridor for the seaport.
Crucially, Hon. Ene revealed that under Governor Otu’s leadership, with the backing of the President, the process to restore Cross River State’s littoral status as an oil-producing state has reached an advanced stage. This restoration is expected to yield significant economic benefits for the Bakassi community and the state at large.
The high-level meeting saw the participation of the Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon, state commissioner from the area, special advisers, and current and former members of the State House of Assembly. The leaders collectively pledged to forge a unified front to ensure a clean sweep for the APC in 2027, from the presidency to the state legislature.
Hon. Effiong Eyen Okon commended the elders for their initiative, focusing his remarks on the marked improvement in regional security. “Investors and residents no longer flee out of fear,” Hon. Effiong noted, adding that council operations are no longer hindered by the hoodlums who once dominated the area. He further pledged to lead stakeholders on a tour of various project sites where both state and local interventions are currently underway.
Reinforcing this message of progress, the serving member of the State House of Assembly detailed numerous constituency projects and empowerment programs recently attracted to the area.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous pledge: the Bakassi political bloc remains fully committed to the victory of all APC candidates in the upcoming general elections, citing the tangible developmental strides and the restoration of hope for the displaced Bakassi people as the primary drivers of their support.
