I have read with dismay a misleading report describing some members of the Cross River State House of Assembly as “aggrieved lawmakers” and suggesting that we have resolved to work against Governor Bassey Edet Otu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
For the purpose of setting the records straight, I wish to categorically state that this portrayal of our meeting with the leadership of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria is inaccurate and does not reflect my position.
It is true that we met with Hon. Innocent Egede, the National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation of the support group. Our engagement was partly motivated by our desire to be integrated into the group’s national leadership structure and contribute meaningfully to its mobilisation efforts in support of President Tinubu.
However, it is entirely misleading to characterise our participation in the meeting as a gathering of aggrieved lawmakers or suggest that we have withdrawn our support for Governor Bassey Edet Otu and other APC candidates.
Personally, I have no reason to describe myself as an aggrieved lawmaker after being entrusted with the opportunity and privilege to serve my constituency and contribute to the legislative development of Cross River State. My contributions to the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly, particularly in my capacity as Deputy Leader, remain a source of fulfilment and a responsibility I continue to discharge in the interest of the people I represent.
In Abi State Constituency, a third term is neither an entitlement nor a guaranteed right. I understand that decisions regarding party tickets are subject to the considerations and processes of the party’s leadership. Consequently, the question of securing another ticket cannot, in itself, be used to define my relationship with the party or my disposition towards its leadership.
For clarity, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo Ekpenyong, Leader of the House, and I participated in a second meeting with the leadership of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, following an earlier engagement involving some first-term lawmakers.
At that meeting, we made it clear that we were not aggrieved with Governor Otu or the APC leadership in Cross River State. We expressed our respect for the Governor and our acceptance of the party’s leadership and decision-making processes.
Our request was simply for an opportunity to be incorporated into the national structure of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria so that we could contribute to its activities and mobilisation efforts in support of President Tinubu. At no point was our participation intended to express opposition to Governor Otu or undermine the electoral prospects of any APC candidate.
It is, therefore, surprising and deeply disheartening that an engagement intended to explore opportunities for participation in a political support movement has been presented as evidence of disagreement with the Governor and the party’s candidates. Seeking involvement in a support group should not be misconstrued as disloyalty to the party or its leadership.
Let me state unequivocally that Governor Bassey Edet Otu and all APC candidates in my constituency remain my candidates, and I will work for their emergence in the 2027 elections. My support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is entirely consistent with my commitment to Governor Otu and the APC in Cross River State.
I, therefore, dissociate myself from the description of an “aggrieved lawmaker” and reject any suggestion that I have vowed to work against the Governor or other candidates of our great party.
My commitment to the APC remains firm. I respect the party’s leadership and decisions and remain dedicated to its unity, electoral success and the political and socioeconomic development of Cross River State, particularly Abi State Constituency.
I urge members of the media and the general public to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting by verifying information before publication and distinguishing between genuine political grievances and legitimate engagements aimed at expanding participation in party-support structures.
For the avoidance of doubt, my position is clear and unambiguous: I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and all APC candidates. I have neither declared opposition to the Governor nor pledged to work against any candidate of our party.
Signed:
Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta
Deputy Leader, 10th Cross River State House of Assembly Member Representing Abi State Constituency
%20DAVIES%20ETTA){kind=link}