By Henry Obetta
The lawmaker representing the Southern Senatorial Zone, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, has commended Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State for what he described as exemplary leadership that birthed consensus, unity, and strategic political expansion across the South-South region.

Speaking in the aftermath of the just concluded All Progressives Congress National Convention, Ekpenyong commended Otu’s deft handling of party affairs, noting that his inclusive and visionary leadership style paved the way for the emergence of Engr. Ben Akak through a widely accepted consensus.

The lawmaker said; “The way the governor has led the state and led the party paved the way for the unanimous agreement of a consensus, and that is the type of leadership that we admire and extol.”
The senator further emphasised the seamless nature of the decision-making process, describing it as a hallmark of mature and effective leadership.

“I love the way the conversation went, very smoothly, which shows true leadership,” he said, adding that such coordination reflects a deep-rooted culture of mutual respect and shared vision within the party.
Ekpenyong also reflected on the broader national political landscape, particularly the recent convention, which he described as a resounding success.

While le lauded President Bola Tinubu for articulating his administration’s achievements with clarity and conviction, he said: “Mr. President spoke to his achievements; it reflected that a true politician is now the president of our dear country.”

Tracing the party’s trajectory in the South-South, the Senator highlighted what he termed a remarkable political transformation.

“We started off with lesser numbers than we had now at the end of March 2023 after the general elections, but today, the story has changed significantly,” he stated.

According to him, the region, once sparsely represented within the APC fold, has witnessed an unprecedented wave of political alignment. “The South-South started with just one state, Cross River, but through the work of our leaders and our governor, Bassey Otu, we have brought in Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and eventually Rivers,” he noted.

Describing the development as historic, Ekpenyong declared that the South-South has now emerged as the first geopolitical zone to be fully aligned with the APC. “That says a lot,” he stressed, underscoring the significance of the shift in Nigeria’s political equilibrium.

The senator expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, revealing a collective resolve among regional leaders to consolidate these gains. “All the leaders of the zone are prepared to ensure that in 2027, the APC wins the South-South convincingly so that we can continue to have the support and patronage of Mr. President,” he affirmed.

Ekpenyong also attributed the prevailing calm in the region to effective leadership and strategic engagement.

“For the first time in this country, the South-South is having peace. That is leadership speaking with our leaders in the zone and the way the president has managed the resource base of Nigeria,” he said.

Describing Akak as a dependable ally and seasoned contributor to the state’s political evolution, the Senator said: “I am excited, not just because he is a Cross Riverian, but because he is my brother. He is a good man, a philanthropist, and someone who has supported the political system in the state.
“At that level, he can speak for Cross River. He is reliable and dependable.”