By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region of Nigeria, Saturday, convened in Calabar to discuss crucial political issues bothering the zone, with Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State presiding over the meeting, having been recently conferred leader of the party at the Zonal level.
Otu, until date, is the only Governor from the APC stock in the region and the party executives have openly lauded the leadership he is offering Cross River State, with calls to replicate same at the South-south zone of the party.
Speaking after the meeting, the Zonal Vice Chairman of the Party, Hon. Chief Victor Gaidom, said the meeting which was also attended by Chairmen of the party from various states within the zone resulted in a unanimous decision to work in synergy to strengthen the party in the zone and particularly ensure that the party emerges victorious in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.
He said the meeting was highly successful with very fruitful discussions which included their agreement to work for the unity of the party across the South-South states.
In his words, he said: “We are using this opportunity to issue a warning to other political parties in Edo State, letting them know that the APC is ready to collect back the governance of the state.”
The leaders, who met in the beautiful city of Calabar, said the Governor’s achievements in office were visible for all to see, especially in the areas of environment, infrastructural renewal, foundation laying for agriculture revolution, restoration of hope and human capital development.
Governor Otu who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar to the meeting said he is happy to have hosted the Zonal executives of the party, and having been conferred with the responsibility of Zonal leadership, “it is often said that to whom much is given is expected. We needed to come together to deepen the APC in the South-South. Today, Cross River State is the only APC state in the South-South; we want to increase that number before we go to the next general election.”
Governor Otu emphasized that APC has come to stay in Cross River State and that his administration is keyed into the renewed hope agenda of the federal government, which he said remains critical to the ‘People First’ mantra of his administration.
“We will not relent in our efforts as a government to offer the people confidence and prosperity in our programmes and policies.”
Among the State Chairmen in attendance were Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq, Cross River State Chairman; Chief Stephen Ntuk Ekpo, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State; Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman, Rivers State; and Hon. Jarrett Tenebe; Chairman, Edo State. Most of the elected Zonal executive members were in attendance.
A group photo of Governor Bassey Otu with the Players of Calabar Rovers football club led by the club captain, Inyang Asuquo, accompanied by the Commissioner of Sports in the state, Agnes Atsu as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor, on General Duties Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba.
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