A prominent Cross River lawyer and Director-General of Good Governance Advocacy International, Sir Leonard Anyogo, has taken the campaign for the re-election of Governor Bassey Edet Otu to communities across Yala Local Government Area, mobilising residents and stakeholders ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Anyogo, who is also Commissioner One in the Cross River State House of Assembly Service Commission and an APC stalwart, commenced the sensitisation and mobilisation at Alifokpa community, where he engaged residents on the achievements, policies and development plans of the Otu administration.
He said the Alifokpa engagement marked the beginning of a wider mobilisation that would extend to other communities and wards in Yala, with the aim of educating residents on the administration’s programmes and the benefits of continuity beyond 2027.
According to Anyogo, the policies of Governor Otu have both short- and long-term benefits for Cross Riverians, urging the people to support the administration based on its record rather than promises that may not be fulfilled.
Anyogo described the Governor’s performance as empirical and evidence-based, citing the revolution in agriculture and the peace enjoyed across the state as evidence of progress under the administration.
He also cited the Epitome of Good Governance Award recently bestowed on Governor Otu at Channel View Hotel, Calabar, by Good Governance Advocacy International, saying the recognition was based on visible progress and development recorded across the state.
The Director-General explained that Good Governance Advocacy International promotes good governance, community participation in governance, capacity building for public officials and training for government and corporate institutions, adding that the organisation would continue to sensitise citizens on their role in governance.
Anyogo assured the people of Alifokpa that Governor Otu had not forgotten the community’s development needs, including the Akreha Bridge and Alifokpa community road, but urged them to understand that development requires proper planning, budgeting and systematic execution.
He also cautioned youths against drug abuse, urging them to remain healthy and mentally sound so they could witness and benefit from the development expected to come to their communities under the Otu administration.
Responding, the youth leader, Comrade Ife Dickson, appealed to Anyogo to remind Governor Otu of the need to accelerate social infrastructure development in the community to reduce the hardship experienced by residents.
The women leader, Mrs Janet Agu, supported the appeal, describing Anyogo as a trusted leader who understands the workings of government. She assured him that the re-election of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for a second term remained a priority for the community.
In a related engagement, Anyogo met with community stakeholders, including the Catholic priest of Mater Ecclesiae Parish, Alifokpa-Yache, Rev. Fr. Raphael Moses, as part of the grassroots mobilisation. The priest accepted to join the campaign against drug abuse and promote a healthier society, peace and grassroots development.
Anyogo said the mobilisation would continue across Yala, stressing that sustained engagement with communities, religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders was essential to deepening participation in governance and building grassroots support for the continuity of the Otu administration in 2027.
By Iloke Egbe
