Onun Hon. Ngim Okpo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, has expressed appreciation to Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu and members of the APC in Biase for the confidence placed in him to represent the party in the forthcoming election.
Okpo made the remarks during an APC stakeholders’ meeting and dialogue organised by the party’s Biase Local Government Area chapter at the Basic Teachers Training Institute, Biase.
The meeting, which was held under the theme, “One Party, One Family, Unity, Solidarity, Progress,” came amid efforts by the APC to strengthen internal unity and reconcile members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC candidate described his emergence as a “call to service and a sacred trust,” promising not to take the opportunity for granted.
He specifically thanked Governor Otu for what he described as his visionary leadership and efforts towards creating an environment for unity and growth within the APC in Cross River State.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, for his visionary leadership and for creating an enabling environment for party unity and growth in Cross River State,” Okpo said.
He also appreciated APC members in Biase for their confidence, assuring them that he would work to justify the support given to him.
The candidate said his campaign and prospective representation would focus on issues he described as critical to the development of Akamkpa and Biase, including infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, healthcare and education.
According to him, the constituency has enormous economic and human potential that can be better harnessed through stronger federal intervention.
“Akamkpa and Biase have so much potential. My representation will be about bringing federal presence, attracting projects, and ensuring our people benefit directly from government policies,” he said.
Beyond thanking party leaders, Okpo used the occasion to appeal to aggrieved members of the APC to put their differences aside and work together ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the unity of the party would be critical to its electoral success, particularly as the APC seeks to consolidate its position across Cross River State.
“When we are united, victory is sure. I call on all aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and work together for the progress of our party and constituency,” he said.
The call for reconciliation is significant given earlier concerns raised by APC youths and stakeholders in the constituency over divisions within the party.
In May, the Akamkpa/Biase Youth Movement had appealed to Governor Otu and the APC leadership to intervene in what the group described as growing divisions within the constituency. The group had also backed the second-term ambition of the incumbent House of Representatives member, Emil Inyang, and warned that internal disagreements could weaken the party ahead of 2027.
The development therefore places party unity at the centre of the APC's strategy as it prepares to defend the constituency in the next general election.
Party leaders at the Biase meeting reportedly applauded Okpo's approach and urged APC members to rally behind him and other party candidates, including President Bola Tinubu and Governor Otu, in the 2027 elections. The party has set its sights on winning and retaining its various elective positions across Cross River State.
Okpo also congratulated Governor Otu and the people of Cross River State over the Federal Government's recognition of the state as an oil-producing state, describing the development as a historic breakthrough.
He said the development could open a new economic chapter for Cross River, particularly through access to the 13 per cent derivation fund and other opportunities associated with oil-producing states.
According to him, the recognition brings an end to years of agitation and legal disputes surrounding Cross River's claim to oil-producing status, particularly following the controversy over oil wells previously disputed with Akwa Ibom State.
“This is a new dawn for Cross River. For too long we have been shortchanged. Today, our people can look forward to benefitting from the 13% derivation fund and other oil-related opportunities,” Okpo said.
He further commended Governor Otu for what he described as diplomatic engagements and legal efforts that contributed to the state's recognition, saying the development had restored hope among Cross Riverians.
For Akamkpa and Biase, however, the immediate political challenge for the APC will be translating the candidate's call for reconciliation into genuine party cohesion at the grassroots.
With the 2027 election approaching, the constituency is expected to witness an increasingly competitive political contest, while the APC will be looking to close ranks and mobilise its supporters behind Okpo's candidacy.
The wider political environment remains fluid, particularly following earlier calls by stakeholders for Governor Otu to address disagreements within the party and maintain the political balance between Akamkpa and Biase.
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