… APC Insists on Otu as Consensus Candidate, Dispels Disqualification Rumours
Issues surrounding the reported declaration of Senator Bassey Otu’s screening by the Governorship Screening Committee as ‘inconclusive,’ have been fully resolved and the Senator given a clean bill of health to take part in the Governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, PillarToday authoritative gathered.
This is even as the Senator, few days ago, presented to the panel the original copies of his Primary and Secondary schools certificates as well as his first degree from the University of Calabar. He was initially accused of submitting photocopies.
The final clearance, Spokesman for the Senator’s Media Team, Barr Ekenyong Akiba, explained, took place last week when the Senator, who many of his admirers nicknamed, ‘Sweet Prince,’ made available to the panel originals of his credentials, hence the final clearance.
The credentials which was uploaded on internet and made viral by the online medium, Cross River Watch, indicated that Bassey Otu attended Duke Town Primary School and pass the First School Leaving Certificate with merit.
He also attended the Akai Ubium Secondary School (in Akwa Ibom) where he obtained his School Certificate from the West African Examination Council, doing well in seven subjects, and later obtained the Bachelor of Science, Sociology degree from the University of Calabar.
Barr Akiba, who did not find the level of media attack on the Senator funny, charged “the peddlers and fabricators of evil reports to desist from such as their end is closer than they believe.”
Restating confidence in the leadership ability of the Governor, Ben Ayade, to steer the process to a logical conclusion, the Media Team Leader said “We want to put on record that, distinguished Senator Prince Bassey Otu is deeply appreciative of Governor Ben Ayade’s effort in keeping to his promise of returning power back to south.
“Never at anytime, did our dear Governor fail in keeping to his promise. Never at anytime did we ever doubt his firm commitment. Over the years, our governor has proven to be a man of his own words.
“We believe in the honest leadership of Governor Ben Ayade and will continue to trust his commitment and resolve to support the party and the consensus candidate of the party to the end.
“Finally, we pledge our unalloyed support and loyalty to the honest and sincere leadership principles and ability of Prof. Ben Ayade and will continue to pray and support him to finish strong.”
Meanwhile, the APC has affirmed its commitment to the party’s consensus candidate, Prince Otu, saying its decision to go for Otu would not be reversed by political war chest of detractors.
In a press statement made available to our reporter and signed by the party’s publicity secretary, Erasmus Ekpang, the party said “The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River State has reiterated its unwavering support for the Consensus Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, whose emergence on May 10, 2022 was a unanimous decision of 17 Aspirants and critical stakeholders.
“Our great party acknowledges the massive excitement and general acceptance of the adoption of Sen. Prince Otu by party stalwarts, men and women and indeed Cross Riverians in general as well as the overwhelming support he is enjoying even across party lines.
“Sen. Otu’s emergence has undoubtedly sent shivers to the camp of the non-existent opposition and has shattered their failed permutations.
“The larty further dispels all the rumors about his purported disqualification or non-clearance by the Governorship Screening Committee set up by the Party, saying that Consensus Gubernatorial Candidate of the Party has no challenge whatsover as he is all set for primary.
“On the insinuations that the Governor is not sincere about his back to South declaration, the Party noted that the Governor and leader of the Party, Sen. Prof Ben Ayade is totally committed to his avowed resolution that power must shift to the South in the spirit of equity, fairness and social justice.
“The Party therefore wants to reiterate with emphasis that sponsorship of Candidates for election is purely the prerogative and decision of the Party. Having reached a consensus on Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, the Party will continue to stand firm on that position which accords with the Governor’s declaration on back to South which we consider fair, just and equitable.”
