Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has declared that the State is “not for experiment”, urging those aspiring to lead it to present their antecedents and demonstrate what they have done for the people.
Governor Otu gave the warning, Friday, on his return to the state from national engagements, when he was received by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), supporters and other well-wishers at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.
Speaking against the backdrop of emerging political activities, the Governor said Cross River had gone beyond the era of entrusting its future to individuals without verifiable experience and records of service. “The state is not for experiment. We have gone past that,” Otu declared.
He challenged political opponents to show their antecedents and demonstrate their capacity to lead, stressing that those seeking to govern the state should not simply “wake up from anywhere and jump” into the contest.
“Every relationship we have gone, we have had antecedents. We cannot play with the future of Cross Riverians anymore. So if you want to come out, let us see your antecedents. Let us see what you have done,” he said.
The Governor said his administration had spent the past three years laying a solid foundation for a productive Cross River State, attributing the progress recorded to sacrifice and divine intervention. “What we have done in the space of three years is something that a lot of people marvel… it is by divine intervention,” he said.
Otu said the administration came into office with a mandate to restore the state, noting that several assets that had remained moribund or were lost over the years had been revived. He added that his government had expanded the state’s economic base, increased its GDP and touched all major development areas.
Acknowledging challenges along the way, the Governor said his administration remained focused on confronting the facts and moving forward, declaring: “Forward ever, backward never.” He assured Cross Riverians that the state was headed for the next level and that “nothing can take us back.”
On the national economy, Governor Otu acknowledged the difficult times confronting Nigerians and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts at repositioning the economy. He noted that the alignment of the country’s three major international credit rating agencies was evidence of progress.
The Governor, however, said the ultimate objective was for the benefits of economic reforms to trickle down to ordinary Nigerians, assuring that his administration would continue to work towards ensuring that Cross Riverians benefit from emerging opportunities.
He also appealed for patience among party members and supporters, explaining that it was impossible for everyone to occupy political positions simultaneously. “Everybody cannot be a billionaire at the same time. We cannot all hold positions at the same time. But what I want to assure you is that it will go around, and it will touch everyone,” he said.
As political activities intensify, Otu urged his supporters to remain focused and united, stressing that genuine political strength was not determined by social media activities but by how leaders relate with the people. “Remember, the thing is not social media. It is how you relate with people, and this is People First Government,” he said, assuring that his administration would continue to work with Cross Riverians to build a stronger future for the state.
By Daniel Bebia
