A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Hon. Gabriel Bravo Oluohu, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure overwhelming support in the state in the 2027 presidential election. Oluohu cited Governor Bassey Otu's performance and growing political acceptability as reasons for this confidence. He stated that the governor's achievements and relationship with the people had significantly strengthened the APC's electoral prospects in the state.
According to Oluohu, Governor Otu's performance has changed the political dynamics in the state, with visible infrastructural development, improved security, electricity projects, and sustained engagement with the people. He predicted that Tinubu would secure victory in Cross River before 1 pm on election day, insisting that the opposition lacked the political strength to challenge the ruling party. Oluohu described Cross River as a difficult political terrain for opposition parties.
Oluohu argued that the opposition could not match the APC's current political standing, recalling that even when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had three senators, two former governors, and five members of the House of Representatives ahead of the last governorship election, it failed to wrest power from the APC. He questioned how the opposition could now hope to win when it lacked the same political structures and influential figures.
Oluohu dismissed the emerging coalition moves among opposition politicians, describing them as attempts by individuals seeking political relevance and appointments ahead of 2027. He also claimed that the influence of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, had waned in the state, alleging that some of Obi's former supporters, including legislators, had joined the APC.
The APC chieftain attributed the development to Governor Otu's performance, saying the electorate had become more interested in tangible achievements than political rhetoric. On the security situation, Oluohu said Cross River had become relatively safe under the Otu administration, noting that residents could move freely and carry out their daily activities. Normalcy had returned after pockets of criminality and security threats before the current administration.
Oluohu listed the restoration of Cross River's oil-producing status, presidential approval for the proposed deep seaport, restoration of its littoral status, and other federal interventions as factors that would strengthen Tinubu's electoral fortunes. He said the President's policies, including the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for students and the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, had further demonstrated his commitment to the state and the country.
Oluohu said Governor Otu's relationship with the people and his perceived sincerity in governance would serve as a political advantage for Tinubu in the next election. He recalled the large crowd that received the presidential campaign team during its recent visit to Cross River, claiming that the turnout was largely organic and driven by supporters who had mobilised themselves in solidarity with the governor. The APC is determined to deliver a substantial number of votes for Tinubu and other party candidates in 2027.
Key points
- Governor Bassey Otu's performance and growing political acceptability are expected to secure overwhelming support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election in Cross River State.
- The APC's confidence in winning the election is reinforced by the support Governor Otu has received across the state and the opposition's lack of political strength.
- The APC chieftain dismissed emerging coalition moves among opposition politicians as attempts by individuals seeking political relevance and appointments ahead of 2027.
