By Kelvin Obambon
Youths and stakeholders in Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency have made a passionate appeal to the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to support the second-term bid of Hon. Emil Inyang in the 2027 general elections.
The call was made in Calabar on Wednesday during a solidarity meeting convened by the Akamkpa/Biase Youth Movement. The young people unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the lawmaker, citing his unprecedented achievements in infrastructure, human capital development, and legislative excellence within his first two years in the House of Representatives.
Speaking at the event, Daniel Enang, a stakeholder from Ehom Ward in Biase, stressed the need for party unity and the Governor’s intervention in resolving internal divisions.
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“We are concerned because of the growing division in our federal constituency. As youth, we are not ready to go into an election with this kind of division,” Enang stated. “We want to appeal very passionately to the governor to please bring unity to the party. We also appeal that you use your kind-hearted disposition to support the candidature of Hon. Dr. Emil Inyang for a second term.”
Enang highlighted the lawmaker’s visible performance, noting the installation of over 24 solar boreholes, the training of over 800 constituents in fisheries and agriculture, and the provision of one million naira start-up grants each to 60 constituents.
Adding a historical perspective, Hon. Raphael Egwu from Erei North reminded the gathering of Emil Inyang’s loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He recalled how Inyang stepped down for the sake of party harmony in 2014 and 2018.
“For equity and fairness, let us do eight years each. If he finishes his eight years, he will leave for the next person to take over,” Egwu argued. “Allowing a fresher to come means that tomorrow the youth of Akamkpa and Biase will fight. To avoid this, we are appealing to the Governor that Hon. Emil Inyang should be given this opportunity.”
Comrade Elvis Enyam, former Vice Chairman (South) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River Chapter, stressed that “continuity is progress.” He noted that many of Inyang’s initiated projects in the 2025 and 2026 budgets require a second term for full implementation.
“If you truncate a man’s government, we all know what Nigeria is. Once a man is taken out of power, there is no sustainability,” Enyam warned.
On his part, Seeker Otu, who is the Youth Leader of Akamkpa, provided empirical data on Inyang’s impact, stating that the lawmaker had facilitated over 52 employments and created more than 40 “millionaires” through empowerment schemes in less than three years.
“We are appealing to our ‘Sweet Prince’ (Governor Otu), please listen to the cries of the youth. Give Honorable Dr. Emil Inyang a second term so that Akamkpa and Biase will continue to enjoy the relative peace we’ve enjoyed over time,” Otu said.
From a legislative standpoint, Hon. Onete Onete Elem detailed Inyang’s success in the Green Chamber. He highlighted several bills currently moving through the National Assembly, including acts to establish a College of Agriculture and Forestry in Akamkpa, a College of Nursing and Midwifery, and a technical education school.
“He has distinguished himself through legislative excellence. Even as a first-timer, he has initiated several bills and motions that drive the betterment of our well-being,” Elem noted, citing Inyang’s intervention in the long-standing border crisis between Cross River and Abia state.
Representing the women, Ekaete Pius, Woman Leader of Ehom Ward, lauded the lawmaker’s “yam value chain” initiative, which has provided seedlings and fertilizers directly to women farmers. “He has given a helping hand to women. We are appealing to His Excellency and his dear wife to please allow him to finish his mission,” she said.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve by the youth movement to remain “ambassadors of winning elections” for the APC, provided the Governor grants their plea for continuity in the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency.
