The All Progressives Congress, APC Cross River state gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 general elections have presented his political manifesto to the Nigerian public resident and indigenous to the state NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
Mr. Bassey Edet Otu of the APC in company of political bigwigs in his party, on Monday while addressing journalists of all hue and clime at the Ernest Etim Bassey NUJ Press Centre, tagged his gubernatorial manifesto as ‘people-first’.
The people-first campaign manifesto prioritises thirteen thematic areas including agriculture, industrilisation, education, health, tourism, security, economy, infrastructure, sports, mineral resources, technology, environment, accountability and development.
Speaking generally about the manifesto, Otu argued that his proposal will invest in people while acknowledging our ethnic diversity in view of unity, harmony, mutual respect, equal opportunity and love. 
He said, ‘Cross River State is the People’s Paradise, and our People-First Mantra will deepen investments in people. Our State is composed of several ethnic groups, with great beauty in our ethnic diversities, which will be unified, harmonized, and strengthened through genuine love, mutual respect and equal opportunities, spread from Bakassi to Obanliku. As a home to about 4 million people, Cross River State is known for Peace and Order, Love and Hospitality, Amazing Cultural Heritage and Great History, Abundance of Food and the home of Nigeria’s most renowned delicacies. We have resolved to sustain these gains and create new frontiers.
‘Greatness awaits us as we unfold our agenda for a better Cross River where everyone will live in peace and harmony with man and nature, pursuing legitimate businesses moderated by good Governance. In order to achieve this, | seek to be the next Governor of Cross River State, and I invite you to join Rt. Hon. Peter Odey and lon this mission.
‘We need to change the narrative that our State is a purely civil service State, by repositioning our People to take advantage of our peculiarities in carving a niche for ourselves in a competitive world driven by modern technologies and practices. We will create a niche for our farmers, young entrepreneurs, our children as well as the elderly to work smart and achieve their set goals seamlessly. We will create an enabling environment for everyone to have the chance to excel in their areas of endeavour.
‘We have gone to every part of our dear State, and have listened to the concerns of our people. Based on these concerns, we know that our people want an enabling environment for businesses to thrive on, our people want value for our agricultural produce, our people want access to markets, our people want qualitative education and healthcare systems, our people want a State where our commerce and industries have a chance to boom, our people want to have the glory and beauty of our State restored, our people want to livea life of dignity and honour, our people want a State where they can move about without harassment by criminal elements, our people want a State where the Government takes security as a serious business and top priority, our people want a safe State where there will be no instances of kidnapping and threats to lives and properties. Our people want to live in peace, pursuing their legitimate businesses, and have access to needed infrastructure and social services. Our people want a true, innovative and smart Government.
‘I am contesting on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and I see our people in Cross River State as being entitled to the benefits that only progressive good governance can procure.’
In the attempt to authenticate his sincerity of purpose, Otu retrospected into his hay days at the National Assembly, he disclosed that he popularized empowerment programmes that impacted the people directly. He promised to follow in that trend in terms of the quality of policy, programmes, and projects if given the opportunity to be governor.
His words, ‘When I was in the National Assembly as member, representing Calabar Municipality and Odukpani Federal Constituency, and subsequently as Senator, representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, I ensured the initiation of pro-People bills, I was one of the Representatives who raised the bar and popularized empowerment programs for our people, based on my love and strong desire to see every Cross Riverian live to their full potential, we will run a People-First Government, where all programmes, Projects and Initiatives will be to the benefit of the people and to the Glory of God.
‘While recognizing the efforts of the administrations of their Excellencies Udoakaha J. Esuene, Paul Omu, Tunde Elegbede, Clement Isong, Donald Etiebet, Daniel Archibong, Ibim Princewill, Ernest Atta, Clement Ebri, Ibrahim Kefas, Gregory Agboneni, Umar Faoruk Ahmed, Christopher Osondu, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Benedict Ayade’.
