By Beatrice Akpala Media
The Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Content Development and Archiving will host the Political Advocacy Summit 2026 on Friday, 24 July 2026, at the Pearl Ballroom, Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The summit is designed to strengthen political awareness, encourage active citizen participation in governance, and promote inclusive democratic engagement across Cross River State. Held under the theme, “The Role of the People in the People’s Government: Institutionalising the Feedback Mechanism,” the event will convene political leaders, public office holders, policymakers, civil society actors, youth groups and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for advancing good governance through constructive political advocacy.
Governor Sen. (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu will attend as the Special Guest of Honour and Chief Host, underscoring the state government’s commitment to citizen engagement and participatory governance.
The event will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including former Military Administrator of Kwara State, Colonel Pam Ogar (Rtd), who will deliver the keynote address; Cross River State Accountant General, Dr (Mrs) Glory Tony Effiong; Commissioner for Education, Sen. Prof. Stephen Adi Odey; Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, Professor Francisca Bassey; Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Planning Committee and Intelligence Team, Rt. Hon. John Gul Lebo; and Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the State Planning Committee, Dr Bong Duke, all of whom are expected to share perspectives on participatory governance, leadership, public policy and institutional accountability.
A major highlight of the summit will be a high-level panel discussion featuring eminent political and public sector leaders, including Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Christopher Eta, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River State; Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to the Governor; and Prince Edwin Okon, Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service. The panelists are expected to offer valuable insights into leadership, public policy, political mobilisation, democratic accountability and the critical role of citizens in strengthening governance.
The summit is being hosted by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Content Development and Archiving, Beatrice Akpala, whose office is championing the initiative as part of broader efforts to deepen civic engagement, encourage informed political discourse and promote sustainable development through inclusive governance.
Organisers say the event aligns with the vision of building a more informed, participatory and prosperous Cross River State, where citizens play an active role in shaping public policy and holding public institutions accountable. The summit also reinforces its central message that building the Cross River State of our dreams is a collective responsibility, with government and citizens working together to strengthen democracy, institutionalize effective public feedback mechanisms and accelerate sustainable development across the state.
