—Akiba
By Onwa Ekor
The Chairman of Cross River Forum of Special Advisers and Special Adviser to the governor on General duties, Barr Ekpenyong Akiba, says Prince Bassey Otu’s second term bid come 2027 is a forgone conclusion considering the monumental achievements and excellent performance recorded within two years in office.
Akiba made the remarks in an exclusive interview while reacting to a news report where leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, cautioned seven Nigerian governors, including Otu, about their second-term aspirations, stating that their return to office in 2027 was not guaranteed.
The governor’s aide who took exception to the statement of the clergyman, maintained that the Cross River governor’s return bid was a foregone conclusion as Cross Riverians had already decided even before his second year in office.
He wondered what was the basis of the Primate’s warning to a governor that has since been overwhelmingly endorsed by the people and groups including the youths, students, women and political stakeholders on account of his laudable efforts in the various sectors of the state’s economy.
His words: “Let me say that I have no intention to disrespect a man of God who I should hold in high esteem and high regard, I am only responding to his media aide on the statement issued and attributed to the Primate where he was quoted to have mentioned our dear governor, as one of the seven governors that won’t get a second term in 2027.
“Whether it is said as an opinion, speculation, imagination, or prophecy, it is laughable that a revered man of God would say such about a governor that is so much loved by his people and widely acknowledged as one of the best performing governors in the country today.
“Perhaps, the man of God doesn’t seem to have the right information about current happenings in Cross River under the pragmatic and proactive leadership of Prince Otu, hence speaking from a misguided position.
“He probably may have fallen for the empty bragging and boasting of some elements in the so-called coalition or alliance who are dreaming that they would take over Cross River in 2027.
“With due respect to the clergyman, his statement naming Otu, as one of the governors that may not win re-election in 2027 is baseless, out of kilter, and therefore unacceptable to the good people of Cross River.
“Such a prophecy or thought about a governor that is working tirelessly round the clock to bring succour to his people and make life bearable for them can never come true,” Akiba said.
Continuing, the Special Adviser pointed out that, “I have maximum respect for the man of God. I honour his priesthood. But I take total exception to his message. He should focus on peaching the word of God as a spiritual father and not get involved in politics.
“You begin to wonder if the Primate is listening to political buccaneers and political jobbers who are just making noise and thinking that they could make any impact in the 2027 elections.
“I feel so disappointed that the Primate could fall prey to such misguidance and come up with statements that are completely fallacious and not based on facts.”
The governor’s aide reaffirmed that the re-election of the governor is guaranteed and no man can stop it, adding that, “Prince Bassey Otu himself is equally a man of God, an Apostle, and his wife is a Bishop. If it was a real prophecy, he would have long seen it. So, the warning from the Primate is needless and unwarranted. Otu is God-sent to Cross Riverians and he is evidently running the affairs of the state with His complete guidance and control.”
Akiba added that, Prince Bassey Otu, a God-fearing politician is living up to his mandate as Cross River helmsman, avering that his empowerment history right from when he was a parliamentarian in the National Assembly where he earned the sobriquet, Sweet Prince, has remained unbroken. In the history of Cross River.
He affirmed that no governor covered the mileage Sweet Prince has covered in two years in terms of meaningful impact made and achievements recorded.
Pressed on the projects executed by the governor, Akiba remarked, “look at the endorsements everywhere across the state for Otu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is likewise doing well at the national level with his various reforms meant to create a better future for Nigeria.
“Cross Riverians are on their own contributing money to organise endorsement rallies to support the second term bid of Otu and Tinubu without being given a dime.
“Cross River citizens are pleased with the people-first governance that is delivering the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.
“So, how can the Primate be warning a governor that has won the hearts of his people with his monumental achievements within two years in office?
“We are talking about a governor that is constructing and repairing roads everywhere, building and upgrading healthcare centres, paying medical bills, paying backlog of gratuity to retirees, opening up Cross River for investment opportunities, offering free education to primary school pupils, saving parents/guardians from financial burden by paying WAEC fees for their wards, employing youths and creating jobs for Cross Riverians.
“If despite Otu’s outstanding achievements which are visible to everyone, the Primate could still name him as one of the governors that won’t secure a second term in 2027, there’s a possibility that the other governors he mentioned were equally based on fallacious parameters and not facts.
“I am challenging the Primate that by 2027 he should also come out and issue a statement after Prince Otu would have convincingly won his re-election.
“Based on the facts on ground about his performance, I am convinced that Otu will easily secure a second term, that is my own prophecy and it will surely come to pass by the grace of God Almighty because it is based on facts,” Akiba assured.
