CALABAR— HRH Etubom (Arch.) Abasi Eyo Ndem has appealed to the people of Yala to remember their past political commitment to Governor Bassey Otu as the 2027 general elections approach.
Ndem made the appeal while responding to his installation as the Grand Patron of the Yala Progressive Union, YPU, Calabar Branch, where he acknowledged the organisation’s socio-cultural character but referred to the political relationship between the Yala people and the Efik community.
He recalled that in 2023, he led a delegation of elders and young people to Yala to receive what he described as the first cheques written by the North in reciprocation for the Yala people’s support for the North in 2019.
Ndem said, “Many faces here today were there in 2023, when I led a team of elders and young people to Yala to collect the first cheques written by the North in reciprocation for our unwavering support of the North in 2019, when other parts were prevaricating.”
He subsequently referenced the 2027 election, saying he trusted that the Yala people would remember and uphold what he described as the commitment to support Otu, who is currently Governor of Cross River State.
“Now, 2027 is around the corner. And I know that the Yala people are a people of honour. I therefore trust that you will remember and uphold the solemn commitment that was made to support Senator Bassey Edet Otu, who is today the Governor of Cross River State,” he said.
Ndem stressed that the appeal was consistent with what he described as the relationship between neighbours, saying, “That is what neighbours do. That is what people of honour do.”
The Efik patriarch, however, acknowledged that the YPU was not a political organisation, saying, “Finally, let me reiterate that this is not a political association.”
His comments came as he formally assumed the role of Grand Patron of the YPU Calabar Branch.
Earlier, YPU Chairman, Dr Denis Ogar, said the organisation unanimously chose Ndem as its Grand Patron because of his leadership qualities, accessibility, friendliness and non-tribal disposition.
Ogar described the YPU as a socio-cultural, non-partisan and apolitical organisation, adding that the union considered Ndem suitable for the role despite the language differences between the Efik and Yala peoples.
Ndem also used the occasion to speak about his advocacy for the creation of Ogoja State, saying he viewed the proposal as a means of multiplying opportunities and promoting shared prosperity.
He further referred to possible restructuring of Nigeria’s regions and appealed to the Yala people to maintain their relationship with the Efik community in any future political or administrative realignment.
He recalled that the Efik people chose to move north rather than east when Cross River State was created, before appealing to the Yala people not to “abandon us in the evil forest of Nigerian politics.”
The remarks came against the backdrop of efforts by the YPU Calabar Branch to revive the union and strengthen its links with Yala communities.
Ogar said the YPU historically mobilised Yala people for collective development, including building schools and supporting education, but that the Nigerian Civil War and the emergence of splinter youth groups disrupted some of its activities.
He said the Calabar branch was now working to resuscitate the organisation and fast-track efforts to revive the national YPU based in Yala.
