Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has directed members of the All Progressives Congress governorship campaign council to seek votes with facts and decorum rather than insults ahead of the 2027 elections.
Otu gave the charge on Saturday while inaugurating the council at the party’s state secretariat in Calabar.
He told the members to move into the 18 local government areas and wards armed with concrete evidence of his administration’s achievements.
“As you go into the 18 local government areas and the wards, do not campaign with insults but speak with facts and decorum,” the governor said.
Otu listed the evidence they should present to voters. These include restored electricity poles and solar lights, pay slips, appointment letters, the improved Calabar Carnival, better farm yields, and photographs of Tinapa, the library, the governor’s office, Obudu Ranch and aircraft of the state-owned airline.
He also asked them to stress the reduction in the state’s domestic debt, the recovery of oil wells and the planned deep seaport that he said would create thousands of jobs.
“Let them know the debts have been paid and their future is clean. Assure them that their oil wells are coming back and the deep sea port will employ them in thousands. Unemployment shall be a thing of the past and a bright new day of wealth beckons,” Otu stated.
The governor described the council members as “apostles of continuity and disciples of conviction.”
He argued that the first term focused on recovery and foundation-laying, while a second term would deliver wealth creation and prosperity.
Using several analogies, Otu pressed the case for continuity. “You do not change a farmer who has cleared the farm when it is time to plant. You do not abandon a builder who has laid the foundation when it is time to raise the roof. You do not change the first eleven pushing to score the goals. The sail that is halfway must berth and the flight cannot return mid-air.”
He maintained that the results already achieved in restoration should convince the electorate of the administration’s capacity to deliver further progress.
Otu added that commissioning projects was not enough. “A ribbon cutting is an event but a project that works is a service. That is our philosophy.”
He assured the council of the full backing needed to secure what he described as an unprecedented victory for the party.
