CALABAR — Youths from across the 18 local government areas of Cross River state on Monday converged in Calabar under the platform of the Coalition of Cross River State Youths (COCRICY) to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu for second terms in office ahead of the 2027 general elections NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The endorsement formed part of activities marking the formal inauguration of the executive members and local government coordinators of the coalition held at the University of Calabar Cross River State Community Multi-Purpose Hall.
During the event, members of the coalition moved and adopted a motion endorsing President Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for 2027, alongside Governor Otu as the party’s governorship candidate in Cross River state.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration, the Director-General of COCRICY, Hon. Etem Stephen Okimba, said the gathering demonstrated the readiness of Cross River youths to mobilise support for the APC-led administration at both the state and federal levels.
According to him, youths from Obanliku to Bakassi participated in the rally to demonstrate solidarity with the Tinubu and Otu administrations.
“Cross River youths gathered here today to endorse Their Excellencies, Apostle Dr. Prince Bassey Edet Otu for a second term bid as governorship candidate of the APC and Bola Ahmed Tinubu as presidential candidate come 2027,” he said.
Okimba stated that the coalition would focus on grassroots mobilisation and political participation among young people across the state.
He also maintained that the organisation was built on youth-driven support and mobilisation, stressing that the inauguration and endorsement rally were organised without financial assistance from government officials.
“The mobilisation and everything that happened here was done by the youths themselves. We did not seek support from anywhere,” he said.
The COCRICY Director-General further called on young people in the state to unite and actively participate in governance, noting that youth inclusion remained critical to democratic development.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of COCRICY in Calabar Municipality, Elder Ita-Agbor Edim, described the gathering as a positive political development aimed at supporting a government he said had performed creditably.
He urged youths in the state to support the APC administration peacefully and avoid violence and political intolerance.
“The entire purpose is to galvanise support once again and bring back the governor and others who are in line back to office by 2027,” he said.
Edim added that youth support for political leadership should be tied to development and inclusion, stressing that young people must be adequately carried along in governance and decision-making processes.
Earlier, the Senior Special Adviser on Environment, Hon. Magnus Ntui, who chaired the occasion, assured members of the coalition of commitment and teamwork in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He described the inauguration as an important moment for the organisation and expressed optimism that the coalition would contribute meaningfully to youth mobilisation and political participation in the state.
The event featured the inauguration of state executives, local government coordinators, speeches by youth leaders, and the formal adoption motion for President Tinubu and Governor Otu.
