By Frank Ulom
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated its Campaign Council in Cross River State ahead of the 2027 general elections with the aim of unseating Governor Bassey Otu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and others.
The 63-person Council was inaugurated by the party’s State Chairman, Hon. Godwin Effa, on Thursday, at the ADC State Secretariat in Calabar, in line with the national directive.
The ADC Campaign Council includes Hon. Ntufam Ekpo Okon as National Coordinator, Hon. Prince Henry Enyong as Director-General, Hon. Godwin Effa as State Chairman, Hon. Asuquo Ekpo as State/Campaign Secretary, Engr. Andrew Okwoche as Organising Secretary, and Madam Christabel Mfam Kassang as State Woman Leader.
Others are Comr. Anase Michael as State Youth Leader, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Dr Dino Magam, Chief Akin Ricketts, and 53 others.
Inaugurating the Council, the State Chairman, Hon. Effa, said the inauguration signals the official commencement of the campaign mechanism for the state and for the party, urging members to take responsibility in delivering the party in the state.
Speaking also, the National Cardinator of Atiku/Amaechi Campaign Organisation in the state, Ntufam Ekpo Okon, revealed many loopholes in the current dispensation that called for a change of leadership. Some of which include subsidy removal, high cost of living, and rising school fees.
According to him, “The economic situation of this country is something that we really need committed persons who are ready to redeem it. The government arrived and decided to withdraw subsidies on petroleum. It didn’t end there, he went into devaluation, serious devaluation of our currency.
“We all have experienced the consequences in terms of cost of living. Then, they promised that they are going to save money from subsidy for the purpose of development. But today, it is the government that has borrowed more than any other government that we have ever experienced in this country. Up till now, they are yet to implement the 2025 budget. So, where are the monies that are being borrowed? Where are the savings from the removal of oil subsidy?
“Each time, we talk about addressing the consequences of their policies, we keep hearing stories, ‘Oh, we have a student loan fund. Now students can get loans and all that.’ But let me ask you something; you raise the cost of education because you are not ready to subsidise it, you are not ready to fund it properly, and then turn around to provide loans for people who are not even sure that when they leave school they will have employment. You impoverish parents to the point that they cannot pay the fees of their children.
“We will be talking to our people. Our people must also understand how they are being used. But today, the candidate of ABC has spoken about the issue of subsidy. Transportation cost has gone high. Cost of food items has gone high. All because of the removal of fuel subsidy,” Ntufam Okon stated.
On her part, the governorship candidate of ADC in the state, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, said she’s confident her party will win Cross River in a free and fair election. Her argument was that APC has done nothing meaningful that will prompt Nigerians to vote it to power in 2027.
She hinted at decentralisation as the only way to move Cross River State forward, believing the council to deliver in the January and February 2027 elections.
Also assuring, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Hon. Prince Henry Enyong, said the part has structures from polling unit to ward to chapter to state level capable of securing victory at the poll.
