The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Ph.D., has declared that the outstanding achievements of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration have significantly weakened opposition parties in the state.
Odey made this assertion on Saturday while representing Governor Otu at the official reception ceremony for key opposition leaders who decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s State Secretariat in Calabar.
Highlighting the administration’s strides in infrastructure, economic revitalization, healthcare, education, agriculture, and security, Odey noted that the influx of opposition members into the APC is a direct result of the governor’s inclusive and results-driven leadership.
Speaking further, he stated that the superlative programmes and inclusive approach to governance adopted by Governor Otu have not only improved the socioeconomic standards of the people but have also weakened the opposition’s structures across the state.
In his welcome remarks, the APC State Secretary, Pastor Patrick Asikpo Okon, applauded the party’s growing appeal across the state, describing it as the outcome of effective grassroots mobilization and “political evangelism.” He commended the defectors for their bold decision to join the growing number of Cross Riverians rallying behind Governor Otu’s leadership
Presenting the major opposition party leaders defecting into the ruling APC, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Eba, praised them for their disciplined and constitutional approach to the defection process. He emphasized that all defectors would be fully integrated into the APC structure without bias.
Among those who were received into the APC were Lady Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe, the 2023 PDP Deputy Governorship candidate in the state, Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo, a three-term member of the House of Representatives for Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, State Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Professor Edde Iji, and hundreds of their supporters.
In her remarks, former PDP deputy governorship candidate Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe cited Governor Otu’s visible impact in security, agriculture, education, and infrastructure as the driving force behind her defection. She emphasized that both Governor Otu and President Bola Tinubu have shown purposeful leadership, and she and her supporters are ready to contribute to the APC’s success
Also speaking, former Labour Party senatorial candidate for Cross River South, Rt. Hon. (Ntufam) Daniel Asuquo, praised the Governor, his deputy Governor and the APC leadership led by Alphonsus Eba for promoting equity, justice, and inclusivity. He described Cross River as a state “handed over to God by the People First Governor,” and vowed that his entrance and that of thousands of his followers would deliver greater electoral victories and democratic gains for the APC.
The carnival-like event featured goodwill messages from the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, former Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu; Chairman of the Governing Board of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Princess Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, and former PDP House of Representatives candidate for Boki/Ikom Federal Constituency, Attah Ochinke, SAN
Highpoint of the ceremony was the official presentation of the party flag, APC constitution, and party insignias to the lead defectors by the State Chairman of the APC.
Fred Abua, Esq
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of CRS.
17/05/2025
