…Lawmakers back President, withhold support for Otu, other APC candidates
CALABAR — Eleven aggrieved members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have visited the national office of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, where they held a strategic meeting with the movement’s National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation, Hon. Innocent Egede.
The delegation, led by the Majority Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo, reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but expressed reservations about extending the same level of political support to other APC candidates in the state, including Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
The lawmakers’ position is reportedly linked to their exclusion from the APC’s ticket arrangements for the forthcoming elections, with some seeking a third term and others a second term. Their grievances stem from the belief that they should also have the opportunity to seek re-election, particularly as the Governor is pursuing a second term.
During the meeting, Hon. Egede, a strong advocate of the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Otu, appealed to the lawmakers to reconsider their position and work collectively for all APC candidates in Cross River State.
He emphasised the importance of party unity, strategic coordination and electoral synergy, warning that a divided political front could undermine the party’s overall performance at the polls and potentially affect the President’s electoral fortunes in the state.
Egede reiterated that the movement’s target is to secure 600,000 votes for President Tinubu in Cross River State, stressing the need for a united political structure capable of mobilising support across all constituencies.
Following the engagement, Egede led the lawmakers to meet with Hon. Bala Ahmed, the Director-General of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria.
The Director-General also appealed to the aggrieved legislators to reconsider their stance and remain aligned with the broader electoral objectives of the APC.
As part of efforts to address their grievances and strengthen grassroots mobilisation, Bala Ahmed pledged to integrate the lawmakers into the operational structure of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria National Structure, subject to the directive of Barr. Seyi Tinubu, the movement’s chief founder.
The engagement represents an effort to bridge internal political divisions, reconcile aggrieved party stakeholders and consolidate support for President Tinubu and the APC ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Other Lawmakers in Attendance
1. Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta — Deputy Leader, Abi State Constituency
2. Hon. Egbe Abeng Egbe — Obubra II State Constituency
3. Hon. Ovat Dickson Agbor — Obubra I State Constituency
4. Hon. Ashakia Puis Ashaks — Obanliku State Constituency
5. Hon. Victor Nsa — Calabar South II State Constituency
6. Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey — Akpabuyo State Constituency
7. Hon. Eyo Bassey — Bakassi State Constituency
8. Hon. Okon Nyong Ewona — Akamkpa I State Constituency
9. Hon. Mercy Akpama — Yakurr II State Constituency
10. Hon. Kingsley Ntui — Etung State Constituency.
