Get Guardian on Google…Lists Coastal Highway, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Gulf of Guinea Secretariat as Tinubu’s gifts to C’River
…Otu declares 18 over 18, says we were cheated in 2023
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday led the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign train to Calabar with a plea to Cross Riverians to renew the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu, declaring that the ruling party has come as the state’s most trustworthy friends.
Speaking to a mammoth crowd at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Shettima said Cross River has resisted lies and propaganda against the Tinubu administration in the last three years.
“We have come to you again. We have come as the most trustworthy friends you can ever have. These are not empty words. Over the past three years you have shown us support and resisted lies and propaganda intended to misrepresent us. That is why we are here today. We don’t take this strong will for granted,” Shettima declared, conveying President Tinubu’s warm greetings.
He said the alliance between APC and Cross River is “an alliance of progress, prosperity, opportunity and dignity” with the people as focus.
“We seek a renewed mandate for President Tinubu, for Senator Bassey Otu as Governor, and for members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly. We are asking because authority belongs to the people and those entrusted with authority must return with account of their stewardship.”
The Vice President anchored Tinubu’s case for Cross River on four major pillars: Infrastructure, maritime economy, diplomacy and human capital.
On infrastructure, he said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was a deliberate plan to open the Cross River to the world.
“It will connect coastal communities, ease movement of goods and people, expand tourism, attract investors and create thousands of jobs. Our vision is for Cross River to become a major beneficiary of this economic revolution,” he said.
On Bakassi Deep Seaport, Shettima confirmed federal approval under Tinubu.
“When completed, it will become an international maritime gateway, attract shipping companies, generate employment, stimulate industrial development and offer enormous economic opportunities.”
He further disclosed the Federal Government’s proposal to locate the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar, saying it would strengthen the state’s international visibility, attract diplomatic and commercial activity, stimulate hospitality and tourism, and translate regional cooperation into jobs.
On education, he cited NELFUND disbursement to Cross River students as proof of people-centered governance.
“No parent should have to watch the abilities of their kids surrender to a shortage of money. So NELFUND is here for you,” he said.
Making a passionate closing plea, Shettima asked for APC from top to bottom.
“I stand before you to ask you once again to renew the mandate of President Tinubu as President, and myself as Vice President, and another term for Otu and Peter Odey as Governor and Deputy, and for all members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly.”
“We stand before you as the battle-tested, the indomitable, the indefatigable, the audacious, the lion-hearted, the dauntless, the valiant, the resolute, chosen by you, with solemn duty of carrying this great nation to greater height. We ask for your votes for APC and its program of continued service.”
Also speaking, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu declared total support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, urging Cross Riverians to vote APC from top to bottom for seamless governance.
Otu, introduced as one of the state’s greatest benefactors, said the task ahead is about gratitude, hospitality and productivity of Cross River people and the personality of President Tinubu.
“This whole task is about the sense of gratitude, hospitality and productivity of good people of our state, and the overarching personality of Africa’s most popular connector President, our own Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Describing Tinubu as architect of modern Lagos, political giant and hope of new generation, the Senator said no greater revolution has been executed, and success depends on the leader’s capacity to make critical decisions at trying times.
“Our President is a man of great intelligence, responsibility, cautiousness, a nationalist and an original strategist who combines talent of democratization and organization’s mindset,” he stated.
He listed foundations laid for economic leverage in agriculture, industry and service, saying differences will flourish and debts handed over will be cleared with abundant opportunities.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s leadership style, he said when the President speaks without a microphone, it is not just hearing but spiritual communication.
“The breaking of poverty by this inspiring vision, his presidential transfer, miracle in tackling national challenges, employment, new progressive engagement, generational change, remains a new testament,” he added.
The Governor called for unity ahead of 2027.
In his address, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described President Tinubu as a transformer and agent of change, likening his Lagos ocean reclamation feat to his current transformation of Nigeria’s economy.
He said Tinubu is the candidate of choice and best among 2027 contenders, with a vision to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030, with Calabar as a key pillar.
He listed two major pillars anchored in Calabar to include the Deep Seaport and Coastal Highway which he said will greatly transforming Calabar port into a deep-sea port and connecting it via the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo to Lagos, and onward to Togo and Ghana as part of West African coastal road.
“The port will serve as holding port for Nigeria and landlocked countries like Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and CAR, connected by rail from Calabar to Port Harcourt, Kano and Maiduguri.*and the Trans-Saharan Highway link:* Connecting Calabar Deep Seaport by road through Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe to Maiduguri.
He said Calabar will be the hope and pivot of Nigeria’s economy, urging Governor Otu to build warehouses, SMEs, industries and middlemen to leverage import/export opportunities to create jobs, reduce poverty and drive growth.
He concluded that economic liberation and emancipation had come through Tinubu, declaring APC’s stand behind him.
The rally, which Governor Otu earlier described as cementing covenant with Tinubu, witnessed electrifying turnout from all 18 LGAs, with the Governor insisting on 18 over 18 in 2027, declaring that APC was cheated when it won only seven LGAs in 2023.
