Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has received a formal endorsement for a second term from former APC local government aspirant Efenji Nicholas and his campaign coordinator Tony Eteng. The duo announced their support during a media chat, pledging to mobilise their network across the state to back Otu's re-election bid in 2027. They cited the Bakassi Deep Seaport project as a transformative achievement, noting it has secured federal compliance and attracted about $3.5 billion in private investment, with funding support from Afreximbank. According to Nicholas and Eteng, the seaport is positioning Cross River as a key maritime hub in the Gulf of Guinea and will drive industrialisation and youth employment. They praised the administration's agricultural initiatives, which they said are turning the state into a food basket while generating rural wealth. Improved security, ongoing road construction, and urban renewal projects were also highlighted as evidence of the government's commitment to modernisation and economic growth. The empowerment of young people through skills acquisition and job creation programmes was described as central to the administration's vision. Nicholas and Eteng credited the revival of Carnival Calabar with a 42% increase in attendance and an economic boost of over N14 billion, reaffirming its status as Africa's Biggest Street Party. They also pointed to upgrades at Obudu Mountain Resort, the reacquisition of Tinapa Resort, and the restoration of Marina Resort's cultural appeal with new amenities like a pier harbour. Air connectivity has improved through the reinvigoration of CallyAir, supporting tourism and tax revenue. The pair referenced Otu's recent honorary doctorate and the Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year 2025 award as validation of his leadership excellence. They described these honours as a source of collective pride for all Cross Riverians and affirmed that the "People First" mandate is delivering tangible results.
The endorsement by Efenji Nicholas and Tony Eteng hinges on measurable projects like the $3.5 billion-backed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 42% rise in Carnival Calabar attendance. These figures reflect a governance model rooted in visible infrastructure and economic activation rather than abstract promises. For young politicians in Nigeria, Otu's approach offers a template: tie public support to deliverables that directly impact tourism, jobs and investor confidence. Where results are demonstrable, political loyalty follows.
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