From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
With less than five months to go to the gubernatorial contest in Cross River State, opposition parties in the are perfecting their strategy to stage a major upset at the polls. The race for Peregrino House was, until recently, widely seen as a one-way contest in favour of the incumbent governor, Senator Bassey Otu, of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The governor, who inherited a state in dire straits on May 29, 2023, has in the last three years revived a number of dormant sectors and embarked on visible interventions across the three senatorial districts. Yet despite these efforts, opposition parties insist the administration has not done enough, and they are bracing to cause the governor a major surprise in 2027.
When Sen. Otu assumed office, he took over a state government that was grappling with infrastructural decay, unpaid obligations and a civil service that had become largely demoralized. To his credit, the administration has within the last three years brought life back to key state assets. The Governor’s Office in Calabar, which was in a terrible state of disrepair, has been renovated. The state library, long abandoned, has also been given a facelift.
Governor’s lodges in Calabar have been rehabilitated, while a brand new governor’s lodge was built from scratch in Ogoja to serve the Northern Senatorial District. In the education sector, the government established the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa. It is also working on an Agriculture University in Obubra to serve the agrarian communities of the north. Perhaps most importantly, the administration stabilized the leadership crisis at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, through the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor, ending years of instability.
Other key interventions by the governor include the construction of inner roads across the state, particularly in Calabar, Ugep, and Ogoja. The administration is also working on inherited projects such as the Obudu Cargo Airport, which had lingered for years and has transformed the Obudu Cattle Ranch. The Ranch was stripped bare by a previous concessionaire before the government revoked the agreement, revived the iconic resort and efforts are on to revive the Bebi Airstrip developed in the hey days of the resort to aid access to the facility by visitors. In a major boost last month, the State Executive Council approved sixteen transformative projects under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement valued at $1.075 billion and N70 billion.
The administration also announced that it had attracted an African Development Bank facility to the tune of $3.5 billion for the development of the Bakassi Deep Seaport. Perhaps the governor’s biggest political bet heading into 2027 is the ongoing effort to reclaim the oil-producing status of the state. The process, if concluded, will see hundreds of oil wells returned to Cross River, a development that would significantly alter the revenue profile of the state for good for generations yet unborn.
However, despite the governor’s efforts, key challenges remain. Opposition parties have zeroed in on two major issues: the governor’s frequent trips out of the state which is undermining effective governance, the impact of the numerous Memorandum of Understanding and what they describe as the underdevelopment of council areas across the state.
One of the key opposition figures jostling to take over is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its gubernatorial candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong. In recent weeks, Sir Jarvis has been very vocal on what he sees as the severe shortcomings of the Gov. Otu-led APC administration. Addressing a press conference in Calabar, the PDP candidate said silence in the face of the shortcomings of the present administration amounts to a betrayal of the people of Cross River State.
According to him, “I have a moral burden to speak up because silence would amount to a betrayal of the people of Cross River State.” “Available, verifiable records show that there is no month the Governor spends more than ten days in the state.
Twenty days, at least, are spent either in Abuja and/or abroad with nothing whatsoever to show for this absence. How can the Governor honestly know the challenges of the citizenry when he is hardly here?” The PDP gubernatorial hopeful also slammed what he called a “Calabar-only government,” saying the administration has isolated the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
“Calabar is not Cross River State. It is only the state capital. The Governor has chosen to isolate the people of Central and Northern Cross River. He does not understand their challenges,” Archibong stated. He added that contracts awarded across the state cannot be properly executed without the Chief Executive’s on-the-spot supervision, warning that this has led to “fraudulent evaluation and abandonment of projects.” Archibong said the clearest proof of failure is the absence of any signature project in almost four years despite federal allocation to the state quadrupling.
“Instead, all focus has gone to the year-round renovation of structures inherited from past governments. While neighbouring states like Akwa Ibom, Abia and Enugu are developing infrastructure that will change lives for generations, Cross River is left with a trail of fake, incomplete, and abandoned projects,” he said. He also accused the state government of “handcuffing and choking” local government funds in violation of the Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy.
“This has destroyed rural electrification, feeder roads for our farmers, community health centers and the basic quality of life of our rural dwellers,” he said. He also faulted the lack of emergency response system in the state despite the high number of fire incidents across the state. Sir Archibong promised that if elected, he would run a government where the entire state will be his constituency, unshackle local governments by allowing them financial autonomy, create wealth to sustain the people, and place competence over mediocrity.
However, as the D day to the gubernatorial contest approaches, the Achilles heel of the PDP in the state is the internal crisis rocking the party at the national level which is rearing it’s head at the state level. The Turaki-led faction of the party claims its governorship candidate is Paul Udayi. However, this claim is still subject to the intervention of the judiciary as Udayi’s name has not been listed on the INEC portal.
Outside the PDP, another major opposition party is the African Democratic Congress, ADC, which also has eyes on Governor Otu’s seat come 2027. But the crisis facing the party at the national level is weakening its strength at the state level as well. Despite boasting of key heavyweights like former Governor Liyel Imoke and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, and many other key figures, the party has been contending to put its house together.
Two candidates are laying claim to the party’s gubernatorial ticket: former Nigerian Ambassador to Djibouti, Nkoyo Toyo, and veteran broadcaster, Effiong Nyong. The dispute within the state chapter of the party became very clear recently when a faction of the party in the state led by John Ogar challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over candidates it listed for the 2027 general elections from the state. Ogar, who spoke for one faction in a press statement, said those on the INEC list emerged from “illegal congresses and an unconstitutional convention” annulled by the High Court and Court of Appeal. He described them as “imposters” and said the matter is now before the Supreme Court. Ogar alleged that the other faction violated the ADC Constitution by running the party with an unelected Caretaker Committee, and that the “David Mark led group” lacked legal authority to present candidates to INEC.
However, the gubernatorial candidate listed by INEC, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, who is presenting candidates under the David Mark-led national leadership, said the issues were on appeal. She stated that the party remained open to reconciliation and was taking steps to unite divergent interests within the ADC in Cross River.
“As the flag bearer, I will say these are matters that have been adjudicated by the different courts and we are lawfully guided by the outcome, as we await further decisions based on the issues that have gone on appeal. Additionally, it must be said that we have been open to the reconciliation of various and divergent interests within the party and have taken definitive steps already to build bridges that are paying huge dividends,” she said.
Despite the crisis, the party has a collection of tested politicians flying its flag for various legislative positions including a former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Akin Rickets for the Central Senatorial District contest in the state. The jury is still out on how the reconciliation efforts will pan out but in politics, a day can change many things. A lot can still happen within the party between now and the next general elections as key stakeholders may yet shelve their differences and prove their mettle politically by wrestling the state from the ruling APC.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is another party to watch as it now boasts of the Obidient movement which sprung a surprise during the last elections. During the last general elections, the Obidient movement then backing the Labour Party won the presidential contest and some legislative seats. The NDC which is relatively new in the state became famous in Cross River following the entry of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the national race.
Following the nomination of Peter Obi as presidential candidate and the emergence of former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as running mate, the party’s profile gained momentum in the state. The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement also recently opened a Secretariat in the state and declared its intention to not just win the presidential elections, but also to win the governorship prize in the state as well as other available seats. The Obi factor is very potent in the state because it is largely dominated by people who are not necessarily career politicians but want a better society and accountable governance. They are unpredictable, are not regular politicians and also most usually decline to vote during elections. They may be inclined to vote for Obi and this may tilt support to other candidates as well. The factors that led to the party’s relative success during the last general elections are still very potent, which is the prevailing economic situation across the country, particularly in rural areas and also the discontent with the status quo in the country.
People who are in underserved, neglected communities and the common man bearing the brunt of the present economic situation in the country and want Obi to become president may likely also vote for candidates of the NDC because of the backing of the OK Movement. However, the party is not resting on its oars as it has candidates for various positions who are also likely to bring their experience to bear. A key point to note is also the party’s gubernatorial ticket, which is presently being held by Opan Odey. There had been recent speculations that he may be replaced. Elements within the party were not comfortable that the party’s ticket was given to a candidate outside the Southern Senatorial District of the state, where the governor is supposed to come from in view of the gentleman agreement among senatorial districts in the state.
The coming days and weeks will determine how the party will handle this issue, market its gubernatorial candidate, and win the heart of voters as it braces for another upset not just in the presidential but gubernatorial race in the state.
However, despite the plot to spring a surprise, the incumbent governor has not rested on his oars and is also matching the rhetoric of his competitors with action and counter-messaging. Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, dismissed the claims of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, saying the governor’s recent exploits are not products of sedentary efforts.
“There’s no doubt that Arthur Jarvis is definitely out of touch with happenings in the state not to know that just last week, Governor Otu’s administration unveiled a historic Public-Private Partnership investment package valued at US$1.075 billion and ₦70 billion following the approval of sixteen transformative projects by the State Executive Council.
The Otu’s administration has also attracted an AFDB facility to the tune of $3.5bn for the Bakassi Deep Seaport. These are not products of sedentary efforts. Every serious government that is desirous of driving investments into the state would not sit in his house or office and expect investors or investments to come rolling in,” he said. The governor also reshuffled his cabinet and brought in a new Commissioner for Information, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, who hit the ground running by taking on his critics head-on and challenging them to a debate on the governor’s performance record.
The Commissioner accused critics of peddling “desperation” and displaying “intellectual inability” in their attacks on Governor Bassey Otu. He also faulted criticism of the governor’s absence in the state, saying governance in the 21st century should be judged by performance, not by physical presence. “Is it in this 21st century of the modern world that somebody would talk about where the government is operating from? Talk about the record, the performance index at this point in time. Reel out what you think the government has not been able to achieve. Come up with strong reasons, and let us engage,” he said.
Outside government officials, political groups across the state have been silently working and mobilizing voters across the state to ward off any upset ahead of the gubernatorial elections. One of the largest political networks in the state, the Cross River State Political Network, CRISPON, has pledged to deliver bloc votes to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general elections. The group said the support is in appreciation of what it described as federal and state interventions in Cross River.
Speaking during an endorsement rally in the Northern Senatorial District held in Ogoja, the Director-General of CRISPON, Dr. Michael Nku Abuo, said the group’s decision was informed by the achievements of both the Tinubu and Otu administrations. “We’ll repay Tinubu with bloc votes over oil wells and Bakassi Seaport. The more votes we give, the more negotiating power we have at the centre.” He urged members of the group to mobilize voters at the polling unit and ward levels ahead of 2027.
Similarly, the Neighbour2Neighbour Network has toured communities across the state to mobilize voters to queue behind the Governor, Senator Bassey Otu. Its Director General, Dr. Bobby Ekpenyong, says he is predicting a strong victory for the governor based on its mobilization and interaction with people at the grassroots.
“The people of Cross River State are overwhelmingly behind the Senator Bassey Edet Otu-led government of Cross River State. They are very ready to vote for Governor Otu,” Ekpenyong said. He said some residents had expressed the belief that only an extraordinary intervention could prevent Governor Otu from returning to office in 2027. Another group presently working to drive grassroots mobilization and support for the governor is Cross River Arise, a support group inspired by the Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor-Felix Idem. Chief Idem, who serves as the Director General of the group, tasked members to visit the nooks and crannies of the state to mobilize for the governor in view of his achievements. He warned executives of the group to prove their capacity by delivering not just their units but their wards during the general elections.
State Chairman of the party in the state, Chris Etta, recently gave an insight into the number of support groups working for the success of the party in the state. Speaking during the inauguration of the executives of the Cross River Arise for Otu political group, Etta said the party has thousands of support groups working for the party’s success in the state. He said this shows how popular the party is and welcomed these groups as they make their jobs easier. “They enter the nooks and crannies of the state and enter places we may not be able to enter,” he said. He challenged these groups to work together without rancour and design a structure that will minimize discontent.
Outside support groups, the governor has deepened his engagement with communities in the state by gracing new yam festivals in the Northern Senatorial District. The governor interfaced with stakeholders in Ogoja and Bekwarra and sought their support for another term, insisting that “the state is not for experiment.” In his words, “I had a truly beautiful time engaging with leaders and stakeholders in Obudu and Obanliku LGAs, while inspecting projects across the Northern Senatorial District. The interactions, feedback, and firsthand assessment of ongoing projects continue to deepen my understanding of the needs and aspirations of our people”, the governor said.
The contest for Perigrino House in 2027 is therefore shaping up to be more competitive than many had anticipated. Governor Otu will be running on a record of revived infrastructure, new investments, and the promise of oil revenue and a deep seaport. He also has the advantage of incumbency, federal backing, and a vast network of over 3,200 support groups. The opposition, led by the PDP, will be running on issues of economic hardship, alleged absentee governance, and the demand for local government autonomy and equitable development across the three senatorial districts.
However, the ability of the opposition to translate this anger into votes will largely depend on whether they can resolve their internal crises and present a united front. The Obidient structure now joins forces under the OK Movement with the NDC will also be hoping to capitalize on voter frustration, economic hardship and the promise of a new Nigeria to wrestle power from the APC in the state. It is still unclear how voters will view the oil wells recovery and seaport project, and how effectively the messages of both sides will cascade down to people in the grassroots.
The next five months are expected to be defined by campaigns, mobilization, and policy debates across the state. The incumbent administration points to ongoing projects and federal partnerships as key achievements, while opposition candidates are focusing on alternative approaches to governance and development. How voters will weigh these competing arguments in the streets of Calabar, Ikom and Obanliku will ultimately determine the outcome in 2027 as the race is shaping up to be competitive.
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