…Group lists achievements in security, health, roads, MSMEs as justification for re-election
CALABAR – A political pressure group, CODE 888, has formally endorsed Governor Bassey Otu for a second term in 2027, presenting a detailed performance scorecard it says justifies the governor’s re-election bid NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The group, which launched the “Back to South” campaign in 2020, unveiled its “Complete the 8” campaign yesterday during a press conference in Calabar, where its Director-General, Engr. Maurice Nkong, outlined the administration’s achievements across five key sectors.
Security: Operation Okwok Delivers Results
Nkong said the Otu administration had drastically reduced crime through Operation Okwok, a community-driven policing initiative.
According to the group, kidnapping, armed robbery, farmer-herder clashes, and cult-related violence, which were daily occurrences before 2023, have been reduced significantly.
“Nightlife was completely disrupted for fear of kidnappers. Today, the story has changed,” Nkong said.
Waste Management: Calabar Regains ‘Cleanest City’ Status
The group also praised the administration’s restoration of environmental sanitation across the state.
Nkong noted that after the seizure of Cross River’s oil wells in 2013 and the consequent drop in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue, waste management had become a major challenge, with major roads and streets littered with heaps of refuse.
“Today, our streets have returned to their former glory as the cleanest city in Nigeria,” he said.
Infrastructure: Roads, Government Buildings Revamped
CODE 888 highlighted ongoing rehabilitation of critical infrastructure across the state, including major highways, urban roads, the State Library Complex, the Local Government Service Commission Complex, the Governor’s Office, and Peregrino Lodge.
MSME Development: ₦2.5 Billion Deployed to Small Businesses
Nkong said the state government, in partnership with the Bank of Industry, had established a ₦2 billion intervention fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
An additional ₦500 million was disbursed to nano and micro businesses across all 18 local government areas.
He added that the government had relaunched the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), describing the economic policy as deliberate and impactful.
The governor has since earned recognition as Nigeria’s Most MSME-Friendly Governor from the Presidency.
Health: 100 PHCs Renovated, 2,000 Workers Employed
The group further commended the administration’s investments in healthcare, including the renovation of over 100 Primary Healthcare Centres, the recruitment of 2,000 health workers, and continuous training and retraining of medical personnel.
Nkong noted that Cross River had earned an enviable place as the leading state in immunisation coverage in Nigeria.
Zoning Argument: ‘Eight Years for South or No Justice’
Beyond performance, Nkong said the group’s endorsement was also anchored on the principle of equity and political rotation that has sustained peace in Cross River since 1999.
He recalled that the Southern Senatorial District produced Donald Duke, who served from 1999 to 2007; the Central produced Senator Liyel Imoke, who served from 2007 to 2015; and the Northern produced Senator Ben Ayade, who served from 2015 to 2023.
“It is therefore our considered position that, in the interest of equity, justice, fairness, continuity and political stability, the Southern Senatorial District should be given the same opportunity to complete eight years in office through two constitutionally permissible terms,” Nkong stated.
‘We Are Not Opposed to Anyone’s Ambition’
Nkong acknowledged the constitutional right of every Nigerian to seek elective office, stressing that CODE 888 was not opposed to anyone’s political ambition.
Rather, he said, the group was advocating adherence to the political convention that has promoted peace, inclusion and stability in the state.
He disclosed that CODE 888 would embark on consultations, policy dialogues, grassroots engagements, and media advocacy across the 18 local government areas to build public consensus around preserving the state’s rotational governorship arrangement.
“We shall remain peaceful. We shall remain responsible. We shall remain issue-driven. We shall remain committed to democracy,” Nkong said.
He appealed to the media to report the group’s activities fairly and objectively while reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and issue-based democratic engagement.
Other members of the group, including Engr. George Abang and Mr. Great Ogban, also spoke at the event, urging Cross Riverians to support Governor Otu’s re-election in the interest of continuity, stability, and the preservation of peace.
