The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ebge Ayuk, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Stakeholders Engagement, Mr. Pedro Eyet, have intensified grassroots mobilisation for Governor Bassey Edet Otu, engaging traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders across Ikom and Etung Local Government Areas.
The separate engagements, held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, brought together traditional rulers, ward leaders, youths, women leaders, community stakeholders and recent defectors to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with discussions focused on consolidating grassroots support for the Otu administration and strengthening community participation in government policies and programmes.
At an interactive meeting with youths, ward leaders and grassroots stakeholders from Etung, held at the Commissioner’s residence in Ikom, Ayuk expressed confidence in the administration’s capacity to do more for Cross River State, noting that the growing support for the APC would further strengthen its grassroots structure.
“We are poised to do even more to transform Cross River State. With the new entrants and the strength they bring into our fold, I am confident that the foundation of the party in this area will become remarkably stronger, further consolidating the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu,” Ayuk said.
The Commissioner urged stakeholders to remain united and committed to the Governor’s development agenda, stressing that effective grassroots participation was essential to sustaining the gains of the administration. He expressed optimism that the growing political support across the area would translate into stronger backing for the Governor.
Also speaking at the Etung engagement, Eyet urged youths and ward leaders to remain steadfast in supporting the Governor’s people-oriented policies and development programmes. He stressed the importance of maintaining a strong communication channel between government and the grassroots.
“We want you to remain connected to the government and to ensure that the voice of the people at the grassroots is heard. Governor Otu’s administration is people-oriented, and our responsibility is to ensure that your concerns, needs and aspirations are properly communicated to government,” Eyet said.
As part of his wider stakeholder engagement, Eyet also met with the leadership of Bendeghe Ekiem Women in Politics, where he engaged the women on the importance of their participation in grassroots mobilisation, governance and the advancement of the Governor’s development agenda. He encouraged the women to remain active stakeholders and to use their networks to promote unity and support initiatives that advance the interests of their communities.
At a separate consultative meeting with traditional rulers, community leaders and other key stakeholders in Ikom later on Saturday, Ayuk said the gathering was designed to strengthen unity among the various leadership structures and align them with the developmental vision of Governor Otu.
He noted that the presence of former commissioners, permanent secretaries, technocrats and heads of key government institutions from the area provided considerable experience and institutional depth that could further strengthen the administration’s grassroots structure and development efforts.
Ayuk expressed confidence that the active participation of prominent leaders would consolidate the achievements of the administration and contribute to its success, stressing that unity among stakeholders remained critical to effective governance and sustainable development.
Eyet, in his remarks, reiterated the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, stressing that communities would continue to be carried along in the formulation and implementation of government policies and projects. He cited the recent inspection of the Ikom General Hospital by Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as evidence of the administration’s active monitoring of critical infrastructure and commitment to ensuring that projects receive the necessary attention.
Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, HRH Chief Manyo Bakin commended Governor Otu for his commitment to development and appealed for the completion of the Ikom General Hospital before the end of the year. Prince Henry Abang also called for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions, community leaders and government representatives to safeguard public investments and sustain development in the area, urging stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting the policies and programmes of Governor Otu for the overall benefit of the people.
By Kingsley Agim
