Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has promised greater development opportunities for Cross River State, citing major Federal Government infrastructure projects expected to boost investment, tourism and employment.
Shettima gave the assurance at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, where he represented President Bola Tinubu and solicited support for the President’s re-election in 2027.
He said the Federal Government was committed to opening up the state through projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port.
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“This transformative infrastructure project will connect coastal communities. It will ease the movement of goods and people. It will expand tourism. It will attract investors and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” Shettima said, referring to the coastal highway.
On the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port, he said its completion would make it “an international maritime gateway” capable of attracting shipping companies, generating employment and stimulating industrial development.
The Vice President also highlighted the Federal Government’s proposal to locate the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar, saying it would strengthen the state’s international visibility and stimulate commercial activities.
He urged Cross Riverians to support the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu, describing the administration’s development agenda as an alliance of progress, prosperity and opportunity.
In his remarks, Governor Otu called on the people to increase their votes for the APC in the 2027 general elections, arguing that stronger electoral support would enable his administration to work more effectively with the Federal Government and the legislature.
“We have agreed that it is time to upscale our votes. So, we are going to give him maximum votes,” Otu said, referring to the state’s support for President Tinubu.
The governor said Cross River had recorded progress in productivity, economic management and investment attraction, noting that the state was moving “from recovery and restoration to wealth creation and prosperity.”
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan-Enoh, acknowledged the hardship associated with the Federal Government’s economic reforms but said their results were beginning to emerge.
“I think that the President’s decisions came with hardship for the people. Even our mamas know that any cure for any sickness is not to be left bitterly. But, the results are beginning to show,” he said.
Owan-Enoh urged Cross Riverians to give the APC stronger electoral support, noting that Cross River was the only state in the South-South geopolitical zone to elect an APC governor in the 2023 elections.
The rally attracted a large crowd at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, with party supporters and support groups turning out in large numbers amid colourful displays and celebrations.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, some governors, members of the National Assembly and state legislatures, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, alongside other APC leaders and supporters.
