….Warns Against Wasted Ballots

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

A political pressure group, Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON), has pledged massive bloc votes for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting the state’s bargaining power at the centre hinges on the scale of votes delivered to the APC.

The group’s Director-General, Dr Michael Nku Abuo, gave the pledge at an endorsement rally for APC candidates in the Northern Senatorial District, held at the weekend in Ogoja Local Government Area.

Charging members to intensify grassroots mobilisation, Abuo urged supporters not to leave a single vote uncast.

“As we go back to our respective polling units, as we go back to our respective wards, as we go back to our respective local governments, let us not allow any voter’s card, any voter slip to be returned.

“We must use all the ballot papers. The more votes we give, the more negotiating power we have at the centre,” he said.

Abuo commended Otu’s road projects, particularly the Calabar-Ogoja road, but pressed for urgent attention to Ukelle and Boki, threatening a contractor’s sack over slow work.

“We will tell him to continue to complete the road in Ukelle. If it is possible, I will appeal to His Excellency to change that contractor because we are not impressed with the pace of work,” he stated.

He listed further demands as conditions tied to CRISPON’s 2027 support: resolution of Bekwarra’s electricity crisis, a College of Medical Sciences for Yala, and expanded facilities at the University of Cross River State’s Okuku campus, its School of Nursing and College of Health Technology.

On empowerment, Abuo disclosed that CRISPON had forwarded 115 names for a state intervention scheme, assuring beneficiaries of imminent payment.

“By the end of September, most of you who are here, or all of you who are here, who are part of that programme, will begin to receive your alerts,” he said.

He also praised the governor for lifting the civil service recruitment freeze and demanded more jobs for youths, while urging the Federal Government to help Cross River reclaim its oil wells.

Representing Governor Otu, Deputy Governor Peter Odey rallied support for Tinubu’s second-term bid and Otu’s re-election, citing the President’s backing for Cross River’s oil-producing status and the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport as key gains worth protecting.