Governor Highlights Achievements in Debt Reduction, Security, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Digital Transformation, Says Second Term Will Focus on Wealth Creation and Prosperity
Governor Bassey Edet Otu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State Governorship Campaign Council, charging members to promote the achievements of his administration and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the APC State Secretariat in Calabar, where the governor addressed party leaders, campaign council members, stakeholders and supporters.
In his address, Governor Otu described the inauguration as an important moment for the party, urging members of the campaign council to understand their responsibilities and effectively communicate the achievements and vision of his administration to the electorate.
Otu Highlights Achievements in Debt Reduction and Economic Recovery
Reflecting on his administration’s journey since assuming office on May 29, 2023, the governor said his government inherited significant financial challenges, including a domestic debt profile of over ₦204 billion.
He disclosed that his administration had reduced the inherited domestic debt by more than ₦70 billion without taking additional loans, bringing the outstanding domestic debt to approximately ₦132 billion as of March 2026.
Otu also highlighted the growth of the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), which he said increased from ₦21.1 billion in 2022 to ₦31.56 billion in 2023 and ₦46 billion in 2024.
He further spoke about efforts to recover government assets, including Tinapa, and the recovery of nearly ₦1 billion from BetuncoCo Estates and other public assets. He also reaffirmed his administration’s efforts to reclaim the state’s oil interests and pursue the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
Governor Highlights Security, Employment and Infrastructure Development
On security, Otu said his administration had made significant progress in addressing kidnapping and other criminal activities along the Calabar-Ogoja Highway through improved security logistics, boundary monitoring drones and collaboration with security agencies.
He also disclosed that his government had restored more than 3,000 local government workers to the payroll and paid the first tranche of gratuities to pensioners after nearly two decades of waiting, while preparations were underway for another payment.
The governor emphasised his administration’s commitment to project continuity, noting that ongoing and inherited projects had been sustained rather than abandoned because of changes in government.
He mentioned developments around the Obudu Cargo Airport, the Obudu Ranch Resort, the Teachers Continuous Training Institute, the College of Education initiative and other infrastructure projects across the state.
He also highlighted the concessioning of the government garment factory and Obudu Ranch through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as part of efforts to attract investment and create employment opportunities.
Otu Highlights Tourism, Aviation and Agricultural Investments
The governor said his administration had continued efforts to reposition Cross River State as a major tourism destination, highlighting improvements in the Calabar Carnival and increased activities within the state’s hospitality sector.
He also spoke about the expansion of operations by Cally Air, noting that the airline had increased its aircraft fleet, with additional aircraft expected.
On agriculture, Otu described his government’s agricultural programme as a major component of its development agenda, citing investments in cocoa, rice, potatoes, palm produce and cassava cultivation.
He said the administration was providing farm equipment, tools and improved seedlings to support farmers, boost food production and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.
Digital Transformation: Otu Highlights 200 Kilometres of Fibre Infrastructure
Governor Otu also highlighted the state’s progress in digital transformation, disclosing that more than 200 kilometres of fibre infrastructure had been deployed across Calabar metropolis.
He said the administration had introduced integrated digital platforms to improve public service delivery, reduce government operating costs and promote accountability.
According to him, more than 600 Cross Riverians had received ICT training, with some earning incomes in foreign currencies through their acquired digital skills.
He further highlighted revenue automation through the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service and other digital initiatives, including AI-powered government payment services and electronic land documentation and processing.
The governor also disclosed that Cross River State received international recognition after its government technology team was selected among the first 10 participants for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence in Governance and Public Administration Boot Camp in Seoul, South Korea, following a competitive process involving 940 applications from 180 economies.
Second-Term Agenda to Focus on Wealth Creation and Prosperity
Looking ahead, Governor Otu said his administration’s next phase would focus on wealth creation, economic expansion and prosperity.
He explained that while the first term had concentrated on recovery, restoration and laying the foundation for development, a second term would focus on building on those foundations to create more economic opportunities for Cross Riverians.
Among the priorities he outlined were the completion of the Obudu Cargo Airport, development of the Ranch Dual Carriageway, the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport, improved economic corridors and stronger agricultural and tourism value chains.
He also promised to expand youth enterprise grants, agricultural support programmes, tourism investments and opportunities within the creative and technology industries.
Other priorities include the payment of the second tranche of gratuities, a fully digitalised civil service and the establishment of industrial parks across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Otu said the administration would pursue a transition from government-led employment to an economy where young people could become employers through agriculture, technology, hospitality, manufacturing and the creative economy.
Governor Charges Campaign Council Against Negative Campaigning
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated campaign council, the governor urged them to take the administration’s message to all 18 local government areas and electoral wards across Cross River State.
He advised campaign officials to avoid insults and focus on facts, verifiable achievements and the administration’s development plans.
According to him, the campaign should highlight completed and ongoing projects, improvements in workers’ welfare, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, security and digital governance.
He described members of the campaign council as ambassadors of continuity, urging them to communicate the administration’s record and vision responsibly.
Otu maintained that the government had not completed its development agenda but had demonstrated the capacity to deliver on its promises.
Otu Reaffirms Support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
The governor also expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the federal government’s economic reforms as necessary steps towards addressing longstanding structural challenges.
He called on Cross Riverians to support the President during his anticipated campaign visit to the state, urging party members to mobilise support across the South-South region.
Otu also welcomed Barrister Venatius Ikem into the APC, describing his return to the party as a valuable addition to its membership.
The governor concluded by urging party leaders, stakeholders and campaign council members to work collectively towards the party’s electoral objectives.
He reaffirmed that his administration’s next phase would move beyond recovery and restoration to wealth creation, economic opportunities and shared prosperity for the people of Cross River State.
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