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Former lawmaker, who represented Cross River South in the Senate, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has made known his intention to run for the office of governor of Cross River State.
His declaration confirms an earlier report by The Parchment that the former lawmaker will declare on Friday. At his country home in Adiabo Okurikang, Creek Town in Odukpani LGA, where the event took place, Senator Otu who is widely referred to as ‘Sweet Prince’ by his admirers and supporters, empathized that he will leverage on the gains made by the governor Ben Ayade’s administration, especially in the areas of human empowerment and youth involvement in politics.
He maintained that in a more elaborate event to be held soon in Calabar, he will make his manifesto known to Cross Riverians which will capture 13 key areas he intends to focus on, in taking the state to it’s next level.
He was received by a large crowd with important dignitaries including the APC chapter chairman in Odukpani, Mr. Edem Anam, Hon Bassey Akiba former chairman of Odukpani LGA, former house if representatives member for Boki/Ikom federal constituency, Hon Eta,among others. “have taken time after a very coordinate research and several data analysis, that a new and better Cross River State is possible. Together, we want to build that Cross River State.
“Some people said I came very late but I don’t think so, because of the home work I had to do. I stand here today with all sincerity of purpose and humility that I am ready to serve you as the governor of Cross River State come 2023” he declared. He said he has segmented the challenges facing the state into 13 thematic areas and has come up with solutions to tackle the problems.
The former two term member of the House of Representatives, who also served as Chairman House committee on Upstream, regretted the loss of the 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State promised to revisit the issue as well as the contentious Bakassi peninsula ceded to Cameroon if elected governor. “We lost Bakassi, which was very painful, and if given the opportunity, we will revisit the issue of Bakassi.” He said.
He who emphasized that his ambition was one that will unite all Cross Riverians, called on youths in the State to get actively involved in his aspiration, promising to prioritize youth involvement in his government. The declaration puts an end to insinuations whether the former lawmaker was going to hid calls from different youths, women and support groups for him to contest for the office of governor of the state.
Senator, Otu a highly cerebral lawmaker is a grassroots politician who is widely loved in the State, with support base spanning across political party lines. Many political watchers and analysts have singled him out as the only serious threat to the opposition PDP in the state.
While at the national assembly, Senator Otu sponsored several bills that revolutionized the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, including the much talked about Local content bill which led to the creation of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring board. Today, a gigantic Oil and Gas industrial park is sited opposite the power plant in Odukpani LGA, providing several hundreds of jobs for Cross Riverians.
