CRISPON Director-General, Dr Michael Nku Abuo, urged members of the group to return to their respective wards, polling units and local government areas to mobilise voters for the APC.
By Frank Ulom
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Published on August 29, 2026
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3 min read
A political support group, the Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON), has declared its full support for Governor Bassey Edet Otu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made during a rally held in Ogoja Local Government Area for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the Cross River Northern Senatorial District.
CRISPON Director-General, Dr Michael Nku Abuo, urged members of the group to return to their respective wards, polling units and local government areas to mobilise voters for the APC.
Abuo said the group’s decision to support the re-election of Tinubu and Otu was based on what he described as the performance of both the Federal Government and the Cross River State Government.
“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,” Abuo said.
“The more votes we give, the more negotiating power we have at the centre.”
CRISPON praises Otu over road projects
The CRISPON Director-General commended the Otu administration for ongoing road infrastructure projects across the state, particularly the Calabar-Ogoja road, which he said had significantly reduced travelling time.
He, however, appealed to the governor to accelerate work on other road projects, including those in Ukelle and parts of Ogoja.
“We will tell him to continue to complete the road in Ukelle. In Ogoja, there is a road that passes through Buki, part of Buki in Tongubi. They have started, but the pace of work is slow,” Abuo said.
“If it is possible, I will appeal to His Excellency to change that contractor because we are not impressed with the pace of work.”
Abuo said the completion of critical infrastructure projects would further strengthen public support for Governor Otu’s second-term ambition.
Group makes demands to strengthen APC support
CRISPON also declared support for President Tinubu’s administration, citing federal interventions and developments affecting Cross River State.
The group appealed to the President to assist Cross River in reclaiming its oil wells and sustain federal support for the Otu administration.
Abuo also outlined several demands which he said would strengthen the APC’s support base ahead of the 2027 elections.
The demands include addressing electricity challenges in Bekwarra Local Government Area, establishing a College of Medical Sciences in Yala Local Government Area, expanding facilities at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, Okuku Campus, and improving facilities at the School of Nursing.
He also announced that 115 persons whose names were submitted by the group for empowerment would begin receiving alerts by the end of September.
Odey says CRISPON critical to APC victory
Deputy Governor Peter Odey, who represented Governor Otu at the rally, said the governor had directed him to attend the event on his behalf.
According to Odey, the governor was expected to be in the area the following day and had assured the group that CRISPON would be among the first organisations he would meet during his visit to Cross River North.
“CRISPON was supposed to be here today, but because he is coming in tomorrow, he has asked me to stand here for him,” Odey said.
“And he said as soon as he comes tomorrow, CRISPON is the first group of people that he is going to meet here in Cross River North.”
Odey described CRISPON as an important political force within the APC and urged its members to intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Nobody can win the election without CRISPON. You have proven yourself. And that is why His Excellency has asked me to come here today to support CRISPON because of the support that you have given to us,” he said.
The Deputy Governor expressed confidence that Governor Otu would secure another term in office, saying the governor’s mandate would extend until 2031.
He also called on the group to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election, citing what he described as the President’s efforts concerning Cross River’s oil-producing status and the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
The rally ended with renewed calls for CRISPON members across the Northern Senatorial District to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and increase voter participation in support of the APC in the 2027 elections.
