The Evidence Group, a youth-led support movement of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, has urged youths and residents to back President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu in the 2027 general elections,
They made the call on Monday at the grand finale of their statewide local government tour in Calabar South Local Government area of the state.
The Initiator of the group, Edem Bassey, who spoke at the grand finale of the tour, urged young people to take charge of the state’s political future by taking active part in the electoral process.
He said, “Our youths must take responsibility for determining the future of our state. We must come out in large numbers to vote and mobilise others to support candidates who will advance our collective interests.”
Bassey urged residents to set aside political differences and pursue a common goal, stressing that unity and grassroots mobilisation would be crucial to the APC’s electoral success in 2027.
Also speaking, Hon. Effiong Ekarika, member representing Calabar South Constituency I in the Cross River House of Assembly, appealed to residents to support Otu’s administration for another term.
Ekarika said the governor had shown commitment to inclusive governance, infrastructure development and human capital development, adding that governance should translate into better opportunities, improved infrastructure and a better quality of life for residents.
“Development is not only about physical infrastructure; it is also about investing in people and ensuring that nobody feels excluded from the opportunities available in society,” he said.
He urged residents to assess the governor’s performance and support his administration to consolidate its achievements.
He also expressed confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects and asked voters to scrutinise the claims of political opponents before making their choices.
The Calabar South Coordinator of the group, Mary Patrick, reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to the Back to South political agenda, saying it would sustain its grassroots mobilisation and encourage residents to support APC candidates.
She acknowledged that some people had initially opposed the agenda, but urged supporters to remain committed as the elections drew near.
She said, “We are calling on our supporters to vote for the APC from top to bottom. We must work together, mobilise our communities, and ensure that our support translates into votes on election day.”
The state Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, also urged residents to support Otu’s administration, saying the governor had delivered on his promises.
Cobham cautioned voters against what he described as attempts by opposition candidates to confuse the electorate.
He urged residents not to waste their votes or experiment with alternative candidates, whom he described as pretenders.
“Don’t experiment with your votes. Other people contesting are mere pretenders,” he said.
The programme formed part of the group’s grassroots mobilisation drive to strengthen support for the APC and encourage youth participation in the general elections scheduled for January 16 and February 6, 2027.