In a renewed push for unity and continuity, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has unveiled a new mantra, “One Cross River, One Love”, signaling a statewide call for cohesion and inclusivity under his “People First” administration. The declaration came during an Endorsement Dinner hosted in his honour by the Northern Cross River Coalition (NORTHCCO), where the group officially backed his re-election bid for 2027.
Cross River State Governor, Senator (Apostle) Bassey Otu, has introduced a new unifying slogan, “One Cross River, One Love,” aimed at fostering statewide unity and inclusiveness. The announcement was made during an endorsement dinner hosted by the Northern Cross River Coalition (NORTHCCO) at Hogis Royale Hotels in Calabar.
The event, which attracted key political leaders and traditional rulers from across the state, marked a pivotal moment for the Otu administration. It featured the presentation of a communique from NORTHCCO’s General Assembly held in Ogoja, where members unanimously endorsed Governor Otu for a second term in the 2027 gubernatorial election. The coalition also expressed full confidence in both Governor Otu and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, citing their remarkable achievements less than two years into office.
Declaring Otu their sole candidate for 2027, the group pledged that no aspirant from the Northern Senatorial District would contest against him. They further committed to funding his All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form, while also throwing their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In his remarks, Governor Otu expressed profound gratitude to the political stakeholders and traditional leaders of the North for their steadfast support. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to equitable development across the three senatorial zones and highlighted recent strides in asset recovery, including the reclamation of a major Oil Palm Estate.
Extending NORTHCCO’s slogan, “One North, One Love,” to the broader state, the Governor declared “One Cross River, One Love” as a rallying call for collective progress and unity.
Several prominent figures at the event reaffirmed support for the Governor’s second-term ambition. Among them were NORTHCCO Chairman, High Chief Peter Higgins; Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Fidelis Ugbo; Director-General of the Central Working Committee, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo; Director of Mobilization, Hon. Martins Orim; and Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Professor Zana Akpagu. The group also advocated for increased development projects and greater political inclusion for the Northern District.
Speaking at the gathering, the Paramount Ruler of Obudu LGA, HRM Utsu Ukandi Felix Ukudare, raised concerns over rising insecurity in neighboring regions. Governor Otu assured the gathering that security remains a top priority, stressing that Cross River’s security architecture is equipped to handle external threats.
Dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh; Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar; and several elder statesmen from both the Southern and Northern Senatorial Districts.
The evening ended on a high note with calls for unity, sustained development, and continued support for the Otu administration as the state moves closer to the 2027 elections.
