The Neighbour 2 Neighbour (N2N) Grassroots Mobilisation Network has extended its campaign for the re-election of Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, to the Central Senatorial District, with a call for increased grassroots support for the governor and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The mobilisation began with the inauguration of ward and polling unit coordinators in Abi and Boki Local Government Areas, where youths, women and other stakeholders were charged to take the group’s message to communities across the district.
Speaking during the separate inauguration ceremonies, N2N Director General, Dr Bobby Ekpenyong, said the organisation was focused on grassroots engagement, voter sensitisation and highlighting the achievements of the Otu administration.
At Abi Local Government Council Secretariat on Friday, Ekpenyong urged voters to scrutinise politicians and demand accountability rather than accept promises that may not be fulfilled after elections.
He said his decision to support Otu’s second term followed his assessment of the administration’s performance, particularly in employment, agriculture and the recovery of government assets.
Ekpenyong also cited efforts to recover lost oil wells, pursue new oil blocks, revive Tinapa and advance the Bakassi Deep Seaport project as initiatives capable of boosting the state’s economy.
He listed the renovation of the State Library Complex, rehabilitation of the Cultural Centre, efforts to address insecurity and road construction among other achievements of the administration.
He urged Abi residents to support Otu’s re-election to enable him consolidate on his programmes.
N2N Mobilises in Boki
At Kakwagom, where coordinators for Boki’s 12 wards were inaugurated, Ekpenyong said N2N was established to communicate the administration’s achievements to the grassroots rather than distribute money.
He cited the Boki East West Road, rehabilitation and equipping of the hospital at Abu Ebam, and installation of solar streetlights in several communities as some of the projects attributed to the Otu administration in the area.
He charged the newly inaugurated coordinators to take the campaign to homes, farms, markets, shops and motor parks.
Ekpenyong also urged voters to protect the existing rotation of political power among the state’s three senatorial districts, arguing that Otu’s re-election would help sustain the arrangement.
He advised voters to demand the scorecards of all candidates seeking their support and assess their records and programmes before making their choices.
Youths, Women Back Otu
N2N Director of Youth Mobilisation, Hon. Michael Kajang Obaji, urged youths to return to their communities and mobilise their peers for Otu’s re-election.
He argued that the Central Senatorial District could jeopardise its political prospects if it failed to support the governor in 2027, potentially extending its wait for power to return to the zone.
The Director of Women Mobilisation, Dr Silo Ekpenyong, commended women for their role in Otu’s 2023 victory and urged them to intensify their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
She also called for increased voter participation, saying a strong turnout would strengthen the state’s political influence.
Abi Lists Otu’s Projects
The Abi Local Government Coordinator of N2N, Hon. Kelvin Ezor, said the group was committed to mobilising support for all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Ezor highlighted the Bahumono Ring Road, revitalisation of Songhai Farms and the reintegration and resettlement of the Ebiajakara people among projects credited to the Otu administration in Abi.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Revenue to the Abi Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ebong Pius Innocent, said the people of Abi would continue to highlight the administration’s interventions in the area, particularly road projects.
He said the people should reciprocate the governor’s efforts with their support for his re-election, adding that more than 1,000 Abi residents, including farmers, had benefited from various welfare packages.
Stakeholders who attended the event included Hon. Egbonyi Daniel Stephen, Ward Relations Officer to the Abi Chairman; Hon. Daniel Edet, Personal Assistant to the Leader of the Legislative Council; Hon. Peter Ikpabi, Personal Assistant on Environment to the Chairman; Hon. Emmanuel Godwin Ezeoke, Special Adviser on Religious Matters; Hon. Ebong Pius Innocent, Special Adviser on Revenue; and Agbor Ejar, Press Secretary to the Leader of Council.
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