Senator Bassey Edet Otu contested for governorship and won in the last elections under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), which took place on March 18, 2023. On May 29, 2023, he was sworn in as the Executive Governor of Cross River State alongside his running mate, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the Deputy Governor of the State.
Since his resumption into office as the Executive Governor of Cross River State, he has turned around the State and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to its development, creating a visible impact on all sectors of the state’s development, from the agricultural sector to the infrastructural, education, healthcare, sport, security, recreational, social welfare, and hospitality sectors.
Governor Otu has created a significant impact by revitalizing agriculture in the state, investing in mechanized farming, and diversifying crop production such as cassava, rice, beans, palm oil, rubber, and cashews. Today, Cross River State can boast of being the largest cocoa producer under his administration. Cross River State has hosted several technical networking meetings to boost agriculture in Nigeria. For example, the State hosted a group of Oil Palm investors led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Association of Oil Palm Produce, Nigeria. Governor Otu served as host to the National Council on Agriculture, which brought together all the States of the Federation in discussing issues and directives on agricultural development.
He allocated 100 hectares of land for the production of cassava in the State and donated boats to fishermen to enable them to fish in large quantities. He also provided tractors for small-scale farmers to ease their jobs and produce crops massively.
The 30-year neglected Odukpani Road Project has regained attention under Governor Otu’s administration. The Bakassi Deep Seaport funding aims to boost trade and position Cross River as a “Maritime Hub.” The Calabar-Obudu Railway project groundbreaking of the 365km railway is aimed at improving economic activities and connectivity between Calabar and Obudu. Governor Otu lightened up the State by providing streetlights at the major outlets of the state.
Governor Otu’s administration has encouraged young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to prepare them for the future. The girls were initiated into a program known as the STEM Initiative. The Governor provided free WAEC registration for some students in the state. In line with education, the major higher institutions in the State, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and Cross River State University, have received more facilities and hostels to accommodate more students.
Due to the effect of the subsidy removal on petrol, Governor Otu declared free tuition for Cross Riverians in Public Primary and Secondary Schools in the state to enable all to get a basic education.
As a governor who believes in the “People First Agenda,” he has drastically improved the health sector for the care and health needs of his people. Most local government hospitals and healthcare centers have received a new look and have been equipped to meet the minimum standard. Governor Otu established Jennifer Etuh Medical Facility, a state-of-the-art hospital for the people. His administration is actively responding to health crises, such as the outbreak of Cholera in the Ejah community and an outbreak of Sleeping sickness in the Ebom community. They were all controlled at the nick of time to prevent spread. Free eye checks are conducted in most of the local government areas in the state.
Governor Otu has made the state conducive to economic growth. His administration has invited investors, both local and foreign, which has helped in boosting the wealth of the state. The internal revenue generated has increased from 32.4 billion naira to 36 billion naira, resulting in an 11% increase.
He supported small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with counterpart funding of 1 billion naira with the aim of boosting the Cross River State’s economy.
To secure the lives and properties in the State, the admirable Governor Otu has adopted all possible measures to reduce crime in Cross River. He equipped the security agencies in the State to enable them to carry out their duties diligently. He banned the riding of motorcycles and tricycles in Calabar Metropolis, declared a curfew in communities that were experiencing high crime rates, and made monetary promises to anyone who could lead to the arrest of criminals. Installation of streetlights for nighttime also helps to reduce the activities of criminals in the state.
One of the first things Governor Otu’s administration did was to release 10 billion naira for the payment of gratuities and long-standing entitlements to retired civil servants. He lifted a 25-year embargo on employment and employed 2,500 qualified staff and paid off outstanding salaries owed by his predecessors to workers.
In the area of sports, the Governor has made sports in Cross River State a priority. He said he would put structures in place to make sports more attractive and boost the sector. With the help of stakeholders, sports in the State will be more lucrative and productive. His openness to private partnership in the area of sport made it possible for a team of investors to seek partnership with the State for the development of Cross River’s housing facility at the U.J Esuene Sports Complex to a global standard.
Governor Otu’s administration has gone a long way in rehabilitating most of the recreational centers in the State that were abandoned for decades. These include Calabar Botanical Garden, Mary Slessor Avenue, Slave History Museum, Kalakuta Extension Eyabom, Cross River National Park, and many others, which have helped attract visitors and tourists to the State.
His administration has invested in the promotion and celebration of the popular Calabar Carnival, the biggest street carnival in Africa, which is celebrated every 1st – 30th December yearly. It is the biggest attraction for tourists and investors to the State, which has helped in boosting revenue to the State.
On November 2, 2024, the State conducted Chairmanship elections for the 18 Local Government Areas in the State under his watch, and the 18 seats were won by APC candidates, made up of 15 men and 3 women, as the Local Government chairpersons.
The Governor proposed the sum of 498 billion naira as Cross River’s budget for the year 2025, which he presented to the State House of Assembly. He attributed 328 billion naira (66%) to capital expenditure and 170 billion naira (34%) to recurrent expenditure.
