The Odenism Movement, arguably the biggest political support group in Cross River Central Senatorial District, has fixed September 26 for a mega rally in Ikom, where it will formally inaugurate and activate its 2027 grassroots mobilisation structure in support of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, Senatorial candidate Oden Ewa and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
The decision was taken at the Movement’s meeting on Wednesday, September 9, at the residence of its Board of Trustees Chairman, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem. Members reviewed preparations for the 2027 elections and resolved to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the Central Senatorial District.
The rally will mark a major step in the Movement’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with its organisational structure extending from the Central Senatorial District to the six local government areas, wards, communities and polling units.
Ayambem, who is also the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, said the Movement was established to provide a credible and coordinated platform capable of contributing meaningfully to political decision-making and electoral success. He described Odenism as “an idea whose time had come”, stressing that its strength lay in the calibre, experience and capacity of its members.
“There’s nothing wrong with having different groups come together,” Ayambem said, stressing the need for “a group that is more like a higher decision-making body” capable of providing strategic direction for the campaigns.
He said Odenism would continue to prioritise critical thinking, objective analysis and effective strategy over political fanfare, noting that the calibre and experience of its members places the Movement in a strong position to provide the strategic support required for electoral success. He also urged members to remain united, disciplined and focused on the collective objective.
Ayambem said the September 26 rally would serve as the formal inauguration of Odenism Movement and its structures, spanning the senatorial district, local government areas, wards, communities and polling-unit mobilisation teams, signalling the commencement of full-scale grassroots mobilisation.
The structure to be inaugurated comprises a Board of Trustees chaired by Ayambem, with Hon. Ubi Ettah as Deputy Chairman and Hon. Kingsley Ntui as Secretary. Other members are Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, Prince Eka Williams, Hon. Kingsley Arikpo (Apolo), Barr. Gilbert Agbor, who serves as Legal Adviser, Capt. Eno Inah, Hon. Dickson Ovat Agbor, Ntufam Collins Atu Ogar, Hon. Phillip Bette Obi, Engr. Kelvin Njong and Obase Ekaba Mbek.
The Elders Advisory Council is chaired by former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri, with Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba as Deputy Chairman and Prince Ebuta Ayuk as Secretary. Other members are Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Elder Bolaji Anani, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, Amb. Chief Soni Abang and Barr. Chris Agara.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Kingsley Ntui, said the elaborate structure was deliberate and designed to take mobilisation “to the polling-unit level”, where actual electoral strength would ultimately be determined.
He explained that while the Board of Trustees would provide strategic direction, the executive structure would handle operations and grassroots mobilisation across the six local government areas, constituencies, wards, communities and polling units.
Director General of the Movement, Ransom Odey, described Odenism as a “child of necessity”, established to confront challenges including anti-party activities, voter apathy and inadequate grassroots coordination. He said the Movement would deploy strategic measures to secure victory for the Governor Otu, Oden Ewa, and other APC candidates.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, who described Odenism as a “generational political coinage”, said his support for the Movement was based on the quality of its principal and the calibre of personalities driving its activities.
Former Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Ntufam Godwin Etim John, called for a clear and unified organogram for the Movement to ensure effective coordination and prevent duplication of efforts among the various support groups working for Senator Oden Ewa. He stressed that the immediate priority should be to establish the structure and commence coordinated grassroots mobilisation.
By Kingsley Agim
