Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, has said the overwhelming turnout at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja at the weekend indicated an undeniable momentum for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the development as a clear signal of growing nationwide endorsement.
Otu, who spoke with journalists at the convention venue, said the sheer scale of participation and enthusiasm among party faithful points to a consolidating political base for the President ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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According to him, the energy in Abuja reflects not just party strength, but a broader national alignment with Tinubu’s leadership. “It speaks about unity, it speaks about stability, it speaks a lot about policy, it speaks about direction. We are focused, forward-going, and backward never,” the governor declared, emphasizing that the convention has set the tone for what lies ahead politically.
He added that the event marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that the turnout itself has become a referendum of sorts on the administration’s performance so far. “Seeing is believing. What you have seen in this arena today has never happened in Nigeria. This is to show that a Jagaban is a Jagaban. The President is going to be re-elected. The result is here, nothing different,” Otu stated confidently.
The governor argued that the administration’s achievements within a relatively short period have fueled the groundswell of support now evident across party structures. “If within two and a half years somebody could achieve this milestone, let us call a spade a spade, what is good is good. Jagaban is the way,” he added.
Otu also highlighted the strategic importance of the convention in galvanizing party structures nationwide, noting that beyond electing leaders, it served as a platform for reaffirming loyalty and building momentum toward future elections. He stressed that the APC is entering the next phase of its political journey more united and purpose-driven.
He pointed to the strong and diverse presence of stakeholders from Cross River State as a testament to the state’s commitment to the President’s re-election bid. “We are here in about three generations of leadership in the state, with everybody that is somebody in Cross River, to show our total support and solidarity for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Also speaking, former Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, said the convention’s success reinforces the internal strength of the APC and provides a stable platform for the party’s future electoral victories.
“This particular convention is very special because we have a strong and formidable leadership at the national level. You can see that there’s a proper distillation of the process in such a way that we are almost arriving at consensus in about 90 percent of cases,” Ayade noted.
He explained that the consensus-driven approach adopted at the convention strengthens party cohesion and positions it for sustained dominance. “Consensus is the higher level of democracy. When brothers sit together and agree, it shows unity and family culture. That is what we are seeing here, and it is what will drive the party forward,” he said.
Ayade further underscored the unique political harmony in Cross River, describing the relationship between himself and Governor Otu as a model of continuity and mutual support. “We do not have disagreement because as a family, we settle issues internally and move on. I watch his back, he watches my back. That unity is part of what we are bringing to support the President’s re-election,” he added.
Both leaders agreed that the convention has not only strengthened the APC internally but has also sent a strong message to the opposition that the ruling party remains cohesive, strategic, and firmly on course toward securing another mandate for President Tinubu.
