The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has reaffirmed his commitment to the back-to-south agenda come 2023 NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
The grand patriarch of the Efik Kingdom made his position known when the Cross River state gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Ntufam Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu visited him at his palace in Calabar.
According to Edidem Abasi Otu V, “looking at the calibre of people who accompanied Sen. Otu to this palace, it is clear that Cross River State is here and that is all that we need.”
“Today I am very happy, because all of us are singing and saying the same thing which is back to south. And I am happy that we made the right choice in the person of Sen. Bassey Otu who is my beloved son. And that is why I am saying that come 2023, there is no contest, it is back to south and I am confident that Sen. Otu will emerge governor come 2023”.
The king appreciated governor Ayade for standing by his word by ensuring that the south gets its turn.
Welcoming the governorship hopeful to the palace, Chairman of the Etubom traditional council, Etubom Bassey Duke acknowledged Sen Otu’s commitment, sacrifice and contribution to democratic and human capacity development in the state over the years.
Speaking, Sen. Otu said he was at the palace to thank His Eminence and the entire Etubom clCouncil for their spiritual backing which helped him emerge as the gubernatorial candidate of his party.
“Your eminence, we have only come to say thank you for standing behind us, for your spiritual backing all through the process up to my nomination as the gubernatorial candidate of my party, the APC. I wish to say thank you.
“I also came her to thank those your children who backed me up during the primaries even when I did not give them a dime. I came to thank you and also inform you that I will be embarking on a thank you tour of the entire Southern senatorial district, to appreciate all those who stood by us and that is why we are here sir”.
Sen. Otu was accompanied at the event by his wife, Princess Eyoanwan Otu, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, his deputy governorship candidate, Director General of the campaign, Amb. Soni Abang and other members of the campaign team.
Present at the event were, Dame Sen. Princess Ita Giwa, Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba, Chief Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, Dr. Betta Edu, High Chief Edem Duke, Barr. Fidelis Ugbo among others.
