By Kelvin Obambon
The Neighbour 2 Neighbour 4 Sweet Prince Political Network, a grassroots support group, has unveiled plans to mobilize over one million votes to secure a second term for Governor Bassey Edet Otu in the 2027 governorship election.
The disclosure was made during a press conference in Calabar on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists, Director General of the network, Hon. Bobby Ekpenyong stated that the network’s target follows the conclusion of a comprehensive statewide tour across all 18 local government areas and three senatorial districts, which commenced on August 23, 2026.
According to Ekpenyong, the statewide exercise was designed to evaluate development projects, interact with ordinary citizens, and listen directly to community concerns rather than relying on political rhetoric or secondhand accounts.
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“Our mission took us beyond government offices, political meetings and social media discussions into the communities where ordinary citizens live, work and confront the realities of governance every day,” he said. “We undertook this exercise because we believe that responsible political engagement must be informed by firsthand experience, credible information and a genuine understanding of the people.”
Highlighting key infrastructure achievements observed on the ground, the group noted that the Obudu Cargo Airport is approximately 95 per cent complete under the current administration. They also cited significant progress on the Governor’s Lodge in Ogoja, alongside extensive road rehabilitation projects across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The group further praised the completion and commissioning of the Local Government Service Commission Complex in Calabar, a project that had remained abandoned for several years before the current administration intervened.
Speaking on critical issues such as unemployment, the group pointed to ongoing public sector recruitment drives as evidence of Governor Otu’s “People First” governance philosophy.
The Director General also pointed to the recruitment of approximately 4,000 workers across the 18 LGAs, the approval of 2,500 personnel into the state civil service in 2024, and the recent September 2026 approval for an additional 4,000 local government positions alongside the retention of 821 eligible candidates.
“Behind every genuine employment opportunity is a human story. A job can enable a young person to become financially independent, help a parent meet family responsibilities and provide a household with greater economic security,” Ekpenyong stated. “Employment is therefore more than a statistic. It represents dignity, opportunity and hope.”
On revenue generation and state resources, the group commended the Otu administration’s pursuit of Cross River State’s oil-producing status through institutional channels. They added that the effort resulted in a technical committee move in 2026 to identify 119 crude oil and gas wells linked to the state, prompting the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to reopen verification processes regarding derivation revenue entitlements.
Reflecting on conversations held with residents during the tour, Ekpenyong noted that while citizens expressed appreciation for the revival of iconic assets such as the Cross River State Library, the Cultural Centre, and Tinapa Business Resort, they also emphasized the need for continued investment in healthcare, education, rural access roads, and youth empowerment.
In assessing the political landscape for 2027, the network endorsed Governor Otu for continuity, while expressing reservations regarding the preparedness and administrative capacity of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong.
“Following a holistic appraisal of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s performance, informed by his verifiable scorecard, policy direction, achievements and response to inherited challenges amid dwindling resources, we are convinced that Cross Riverians have compelling reasons to reaffirm their confidence in the Sweet Prince for a second term in office,” Ekpenyong affirmed.
The group pledged to achieve its one-million-vote target through peaceful community outreach, issue-based advocacy, voter education, and constructive engagement across all 18 local government areas.
“We aspire to build a grassroots structure capable of mobilizing more than one million votes in support of the political direction we advocate,” he said. “We will pursue our objectives peacefully and democratically, without intimidation, threats or attempts to suppress opposing views. The grassroots are watching. The people are listening.”
