CALABAR — The National Deputy Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Ben Akak, has urged stakeholders of the party in Cross River state to draw lessons from the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election and close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akak described the Osun election as a valuable reminder that electoral success is sustained not only by political structures and government achievements, but also by the trust, confidence and continued engagement of the electorate.
Speaking on the outcome, the APC national officer urged party leaders and members in Cross River State to approach the period ahead with renewed commitment to unity, reconciliation, grassroots mobilisation and more responsive leadership.
According to him, every election provides an opportunity for political parties to assess their strengths, identify areas requiring improvement and re-strategize.
“Osun has reminded us that though political structures are important, what’s more pertinent is the government’s connection with the grassroots through its lofty initiatives and programmes geared towards impacting the lives of the people,” he said.
Also, Akak particularly urged APC stakeholders to turn the conclusion of the party’s recent primaries into a new beginning, rather than allowing the outcome to create divisions among members.
He therefore alluded to the fact that political contests would naturally produce both winners and disappointed aspirants, but the true strength of a political party is demonstrated by its ability to bring everyone together after the contest.
“Every political contest produces people who are happy with the outcome and people who may feel disappointed. What matters is what we do afterwards. Nobody should lose his place in our party simply because he did not win a primary,” he stated.
The Deputy National Treasurer consequently appealed to party leaders, aspirants and supporters to embrace genuine reconciliation and recognise that every member has a role to play in building the APC ahead of 2027.
“We need every leader, every aspirant, every supporter and every structure. The strength of APC in Cross River in 2027 will depend largely on our ability to work together as one family,” Akak said.
He also called for stronger grassroots engagement, particularly with farmers, young people, small business owners and residents in rural communities, stressing that political leadership must remain connected to the everyday realities of the people.
According to him, government achievements should not only be measured through statistics and official reports, but also by the extent to which citizens experience tangible improvements in their daily lives.
“The farmer wants to know whether his farm can produce and his produce can reach the market. The young person wants to know whether there is an opportunity for him. The small business owner wants to know whether his business can survive. These are the realities we must continually pay attention to,” he said.
Akak noted that this approach would not only strengthen the APC politically but would also help government understand where more attention and intervention are required.
He further encouraged party stakeholders to support the administration of Governor Bassey Otu by providing constructive feedback and helping to communicate government programmes more effectively to the people.
“Governor Otu has made tremendous progress, but there is always more to do. Supporting the Governor should also mean helping him succeed as he continues to strategically touch the lives of Cross Riverians,” he stated.
He stressed that effective party structures should serve as a bridge between government and the electorate, rather than merely defending government policies.
“A good political structure is not one where everybody tells the leader that everything is perfect. A good structure is one where people can bring the concerns of the people to the leader and help government respond to them,” Akak explained.
While acknowledging the strength of the APC in Cross River, Akak cautioned stakeholders against complacency, noting that political advantages must be continuously strengthened through performance, effective communication and meaningful engagement with citizens.
“We have a strong party, we have an incumbent Governor and we have structures across the state. Those are advantages, but advantages must be protected and strengthened. We must continue to earn the confidence of Cross Riverians,” he said.
The APC national officer urged members to begin preparations for 2027 immediately, stressing that electoral victory should be built through sustained organisation and engagement rather than last-minute mobilisation.
“2027 is not going to be won by slogans. It will be won by organisation, unity, performance, communication and the confidence of the people. We have time to prepare, and we must use that time wisely,” Akak said.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the APC to retain Cross River State in 2027, provided stakeholders remain united, responsive and committed to serving the interests of the people.
Akak concluded by appealing to members to place the collective interest of the party and the state above personal differences, describing the period ahead as an opportunity to build a stronger, more united and more people-centred APC.
“Our objective should be bigger than any individual. It should be about APC, it should be about Cross River and it should be about ensuring that the gains we have made are consolidated,” he said.
