I read with surprise and disappointment a misleading report concerning a meeting I attended in Abuja some weeks ago alongside some members of the Cross River State House of Assembly. The report attempted to portray the meeting as a gathering of aggrieved lawmakers who had resolved not to work for His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective constituencies.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically dissociate myself from any suggestion that I am aggrieved with the Governor or have made any commitment to work against him or any candidate of our great party.
At the meeting, described as the second engagement with the leadership of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, my Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta, and I clarified any misleading impressions that might have arisen from an earlier meeting involving some of our colleagues. We made it unequivocally clear that we were not aggrieved and had no intention of working against the Governor or the APC.
We understand that political leadership involves decisions concerning party tickets, nominations and other considerations at different political dispensations. Such decisions fall within the purview of the party’s leadership, and our participation in the meeting was neither an expression of discontent with Governor Otu nor an indication of opposition to the APC.
Personally, I have no reason to describe myself as aggrieved. I am a second-term member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, and I have never considered a third term an entitlement or a personal demand. I understand that the opportunity to serve beyond two terms depends on several political considerations and the decisions of the party’s leadership.
By the grace of God and through the magnanimity and support of His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, I was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly. I remain grateful for the confidence reposed in me and do not take that privilege for granted.
More importantly, a day before the meeting with Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, we had an extensive and productive engagement with the Governor. It is, therefore, difficult to understand how I could have left such a constructive meeting only to be portrayed as an opponent of the same leader with whom I had just engaged meaningfully.
The Governor and I hail from the same local government area, and our communities are neighbours. He has supported my political journey with remarkable goodwill, and I have no reason to turn around and work against him.
Beyond our political relationship, the Governor’s wife is my aunt. I also deeply appreciate the confidence the Governor has demonstrated in me by entrusting me with the leadership of the House. Against this background, the suggestion that I am involved in any plot against him is not only unfortunate but entirely inconsistent with my position.
My relationship with Governor Otu is one of mutual respect, and my support for his administration remains unwavering.
The impact of his administration is also evident in the constituency projects I have been able to facilitate through his People First government. These projects demonstrate the practical benefits of our working relationship and the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of our people.
Among the projects delivered in my constituency are:
- Construction of a brand-new town hall at Atan Okoyong.
- Rehabilitation of the primary school at Akani Obio Okoyong.
- Construction of a primary school at Ikot Ebiti.
- Rehabilitation of a 15-year-old community borehole, upgraded to a solar-powered facility with water reticulation to various parts of the community.
- Provision of a solar-powered borehole at Atan Okoyong, with a reticulation system serving the community.
- Provision of a solar-powered borehole at Coffee Adiabo, Ikot Otu (Tinapa).
- Provision of a solar-powered borehole at Ediong, among other community-focused projects that align with the People First philosophy of His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
These projects are tangible evidence of the opportunities created through the Governor’s administration to address the needs of our constituents. With such support and goodwill, it is difficult to comprehend how anyone could reasonably conclude that I would turn against the Governor or oppose his second-term ambition.
Having been entrusted with the responsibility of becoming a record-setting leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly, I remain conscious of the confidence the Governor has placed in me. I consider it a responsibility to uphold that trust through constructive engagement, loyalty to our party and continued service to my constituents.
Let me state unequivocally that I am not part of any meeting, plan or arrangement to work against Governor Otu or any APC candidate in Cross River State.
My commitment is to deliver a 5/5 victory for the APC across the relevant electoral contests. I will mobilise support for our great party across my polling unit, ward and local government area, and work with other party stakeholders to ensure our candidates receive the necessary support.
Our engagement with Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria was not a conspiracy against the Governor. It was an opportunity to explore avenues for participation in the movement’s national structure and contribute to its activities. Such engagement should not be misrepresented as political rebellion or opposition to the leadership of our party.
It is regrettable that a meeting of this nature has been presented as evidence of disloyalty and political hostility. Political engagement should not automatically be interpreted as rebellion, just as discussions about participation in a support group should not be twisted into a declaration of opposition to the party’s leadership.
I, therefore, urge members of the media and the general public to exercise restraint, verify information before publication and avoid narratives capable of creating unnecessary divisions within our party. Responsible journalism requires that facts be established and all relevant sides heard before conclusions are drawn.
For the avoidance of doubt, my position is clear and unambiguous: I support Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the leadership of the APC in Cross River State and all candidates of our great party. I have neither pledged to work against the Governor nor participated in any arrangement to undermine the electoral fortunes of the APC.
I remain committed to the unity, progress and electoral success of the APC in Cross River State. My loyalty is intact, and my resolve to support the Governor and our party remains firm.
Signed:
Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo EkpenyongLeader, 10th Cross River State House of Assembly
