Political tension is building in Bakassi Local Government Area as leaders of the Mainland Bloc have issued a strong and uncompromising communiqué firmly endorsing Governor Bassey Otu for a second term, while simultaneously calling out what they describe as a dangerous and unacceptable imbalance in political representation.
In a statement that blends loyalty with unmistakable frustration, the bloc comprising elders, stakeholders, and political actors made it clear that their support for 2027 is solid, but it will not come at the cost of continued marginalization.
The group acknowledged the Governor’s strides, particularly efforts around the Bakassi Deep Sea Port and broader development initiatives.
However, beneath the commendation lies a deeper grievance, one that has now reached a boiling point.
According to the communiqué, the longstanding principle of equitable rotation of political offices within Bakassi has been “clearly abandoned.”
The figures they presented are stark, while the Riverine Bloc has produced four local government chairmen over the years, the Mainland has managed only one, despite commanding over 95 percent of the voting strength.
“This is no longer a matter of oversight, it is a pattern,” Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo noted. “And for the first time, one bloc is dominating major elective positions. That is not balance. That is exclusion.”
The group did not mince words in outlining its demand.
At the center of their agitation is a clear call for the State House of Assembly seat to be used as a corrective instrument, one that must restore fairness and re-establish political equilibrium between the blocs.
Their warning is as direct as it is urgent.
There is “growing discontent” across the Mainland, the communiqué states, cautioning that while tensions have so far been managed, the situation is becoming increasingly fragile. If ignored, it could trigger political instability and a shift in loyalties ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite the hard stance, the bloc maintained a tone of measured respect, urging Governor Otu to act decisively and demonstrate his commitment to justice, unity, and inclusive governance.
The communiqué, led by respected political heavyweights including Ekpo Ekpo, Dominic Aqua Edem, and other critical stakeholders signals a decisive shift from quiet concern to open resistance against what they describe as sustained marginalization of the Mainland
For the Mainland Bloc, resolving the imbalance is not just about political positions, it is about dignity, fairness, and the survival of trust within the system.
And as 2027 approaches, they are making one thing unmistakably known, support will be delivered, but equity must be seen.
