Prince Otu is coming with competence, capacity and exposure – Barr Ekpenyong Akiba

Emmanuel Alfred, Calabar

Barr Ekpenyong Akiba is the Media Officer of the Gubernatorial Aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen Bassey Edet Otu and he speaks on why his principal is the best candidate for the office in the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections in the Cross River State.

Tell us about Prince Bassey Edet Otu

Sen Bassey Edet Otu is a Cross Riverian who hails from Odukpani Local Government Area of the State. Before venturing into the active politics, he was working in the banking sector with the defunct Mercantile Bank; he also functioned in the petroleum and agricultural sectors as an entrepreneur.
He later ventured into politics and was given the mandate to represent his people in the Federal House of Representatives from 2003-2011 and then got the ticket to represent his people in the upper chamber in 2007-2011 as a Senator.

Can you tell us the positions handled during his time there?

Yes, in the National Assembly, he was the Vice-chairman, National Population Committee; Chairman, Petroleum Up-stream which is the largest committee in the National Assembly with over seventy members as well as Member of Committees like the Police, Water Resources and even Inter-party Relations.

In the Senate, he was appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and also, Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking and other financial institutions.

What makes him viable?
Apart from the responsibilities he has successfully handled, his character is what makes him very attractive. Sen Otu is synonymous with human capacity development, youth empowerment and generational liberation. He is widely accessible, humble and posseses a listening ear.

Let’s talk about his emergence as the Party’s Candidate
Sen Otu emerged as a concensus candidate and it was completely supported by sixteen formidable candidates who, after looking at the person of Prince Otu decided to support him.
The qualities I have mentioned earlier made him the best bet for the Party as he is the most wanted politician in the State.

How does he intends to improve and consolidate on the gains of the incumbent

First off, I need to seriously appreciate the efforts of the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Sen Prof Ben Ayade on his giant strides in terms of industrialization. He has established 38 factories and industries in the State with his industrial revolution and I will say these are generational milestones that will outlive him.
Sen Otu will leverage on these foundations laid by Sir Ayade by ensuring the completion of uncompleted projects and the functionality of the industries to catering for the teeming population of the State. This he willl do by employing adequate expertise in his cabinet.

On the case between Sen Owan Enor and the APC, tell us what you make of it

It is merely an academic exercise. It is like asking me of my name and after telling you, you question its authenticity. In that case, you have to ask my father.
In this case APC is the father while Prince Otu is the son. The case was just questioning the mandate given to Prince Otu by the APC. And we know that this was purely a Party affair and should be dealt as such.
On the issue of qualification, Sen Otu is eminently qualified as provided by Page 177 of the Nigerian Construction which says that you must be a Nigerian, be atleast 35 years old, belong to a Political Party, sponsored by the Party and have education up to a school certificate level.
He ticks all these boxes as he is a bonafide Nigerian, above 35 years old, a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, properly sponsored by the APC and he doesn’t just have a certificate but has a degree in Sociology. Not to mention the numerous courses he has studied abroad.
I consider it totally laughable that a man who has headed the Senate committee on Finance is not qualified.

What is your final message to detractors and other who are undecided?

Prince Otu will bring about seemless transition of power in the State because from 1999, power has moved from the Southern Senatorial District to the Central Senatorial District and then to the Northern Senatorial District. It is just morally right that it comes back to the South.
He is coming with competence, capacity and exposure which will see him use the good office to empower our generation.
I have this to say to the young people, we must judge all Aspirants by their antecedents. Bring your report cards and let us see what you achieved in the responsibility you handled.