Determined to strengthen its unity and secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) across elective positions in the 2027 elections, political stakeholders in Etung Local Government Area have passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the area’s political leader, Prince Ebuta Ojong Ayuk, and the party’s chapter chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ndum.
The stakeholders expressed their commitment to closing ranks and intensifying grassroots mobilisation during a stakeholders’ meeting with the APC senatorial candidate for Cross River Central, Mr. Oden Ewa, held at the country home of Prince Ayuk in Effraya, headquarters of Etung Local Government Area.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the stakeholders to rally behind Ewa and assure him of their support as the APC candidate for the Central Senatorial District, with participants emphasising the need to consolidate the party’s structures across Etung and the district ahead of the 2027 election.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that with a united party structure, sustained grassroots mobilisation and the commitment of its leaders and members, Ewa would emerge victorious at the senatorial election, urging all APC faithful to work collectively towards delivering the party’s candidate.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, elder statesman, former Commissioner and former Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Ntufam Gabe Odu Oji, said the confidence vote reflected their genuine satisfaction with Ayuk’s leadership and determination to preserve the unity required to deliver victory for the APC in 2027.
Odu Oji said, “We are satisfied with the leadership of Prince Ebuta Ojong Ayuk. The things being said on social media are unfounded and, in our view, come from sheer ignorance of what is happening on the ground in Etung.”
He said the political leadership in Etung had remained focused on bringing stakeholders together and strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that the prevailing cohesion within the party was evidence of the progress being made.
Odu Oji thereafter moved a motion for a vote of confidence in Ayuk’s leadership, which was seconded by the member representing Etung State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Kingsley Ntui Isong, and supported by the stakeholders.
Responding, Ayuk, a former Special Adviser to the President on Informal Sector, thanked the stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to continue steering the political process with diligence, integrity and commitment to the collective interest of the people.
“I appreciate the confidence you have reposed in me. I will continue to steer the political process with diligence and integrity, and I will remain committed to the collective interest of our people,” Ayuk said.
He particularly attributed the political peace and stability enjoyed by the APC in Etung to the astuteness and grassroots efforts of the chapter chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ndum, describing him as the “lifeblood” that had kept the party intact despite the competing interests and aspirations of its stakeholders.
Ayuk said, “Emmanuel Ndum is the lifeblood that has kept this party intact. Despite our different interests and differences, his astuteness and grassroots efforts have helped to maintain the peace and stability we are enjoying in Etung APC.”
He expressed optimism that the APC would continue to wax stronger in Etung and contribute meaningfully to the party’s anticipated electoral victory in 2027, urging members to translate the unity demonstrated at the meeting into increased grassroots mobilisation.
“We must all cooperate and double our efforts. If we remain united and committed, I am confident that Etung APC will contribute meaningfully to the imminent victory of our party from top to bottom in 2027,” he said.
By Kingsley Agim
