Senator hails C’River gov’s leadership, APC expansion in South South

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The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong, has praised Governor Bassey Otu for what he described as exemplary leadership, following the emergence of Ben Akak through a consensus process within the All Progressives Congress.

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Ekpenyong made this known in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday while reacting to developments at the recent APC national convention, noting that Otu’s leadership style fostered unity and strengthened the party’s structure across the South-South region.

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He said, “The way His Excellency, 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.”

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The lawmaker described the process leading to Akak’s emergence as smooth and reflective of the party’s internal cohesion.

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“I love the way the conversation went, very smoothly, which shows true leadership,” he added.

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Ekpenyong also commended President Bola Tinubu for his remarks at the convention, saying they reflected clarity on governance and political direction.

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“Mr President spoke to his achievements; it reflected that a true politician is now the president of our dear country,” he said.

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The senator further highlighted what he described as the APC’s growing political expansion in the South-South, noting that the region has witnessed increased alignment with the ruling party since the 2023 general elections.

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“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.

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According to him, the region, which previously had limited APC presence, has recorded broader acceptance across states.

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“The South-South started with just one state, Cross River, but through the work of our leaders and our governor, we have brought in Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and eventually Rivers,” he said.

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Ekpenyong described the development as significant, adding that leaders in the zone are already working towards consolidating the party’s gains ahead of the 2027 elections.

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“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 said.

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He also linked the relative calm in the region to leadership and political engagement.

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“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,” Ekpenyong added.

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Speaking on Akak’s emergence, the senator described him as a dependable figure with a track record of supporting the state’s political system.

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“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,” he said.

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He further noted that recent constitutional changes granting deputies membership in the party’s National Working Committee would strengthen representation.

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“At that level, he can speak for Cross River. He is reliable and dependable,” Ekpenyong said.

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