“My position is clear: I support Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the leadership of the APC in Cross River State and all APC candidates,” he stated.
By Our Reporter
The Leader of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo Ekpenyong, has dismissed reports portraying him as an aggrieved lawmaker opposed to Governor Bassey Otu’s second-term ambition, pledging to work for the electoral success of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ekpenyong, in a rejoinder, described the report concerning a meeting he attended in Abuja with some members of the state House of Assembly as malicious and misleading, insisting that he had neither pledged to work against the governor nor participated in any arrangement to undermine the party’s candidates.
The lawmaker explained that the meeting, described as the second engagement with the leadership of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, was intended to explore opportunities for participation in the movement’s national structure and activities, rather than to express opposition to the governor or the APC leadership.
According to him, he and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dr Davies Etta, clarified their positions during the engagement, stressing that neither of them was aggrieved over political decisions concerning party tickets or other considerations. He added that seeking a third term in the House of Assembly had never been a personal entitlement or demand.
Ekpenyong expressed gratitude to Governor Otu for supporting his political journey and entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the 10th Assembly. He also noted that both men hail from the same local government area, while their communities are neighbours, adding that the governor’s wife is his aunt.
He further disclosed that he had held an extensive and productive meeting with the governor a day before the Abuja engagement, questioning how he could be portrayed as an opponent of a leader with whom he had recently had constructive discussions.
Reaffirming his commitment to the APC, Ekpenyong pledged to mobilise support for the party across his polling unit, ward and local government area, expressing confidence that he would deliver a 5/5 victory for the APC across the relevant electoral contests.
He urged media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publication, warning that misrepresenting political engagements could create unnecessary divisions within the party.
“My position is clear: I support Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the leadership of the APC in Cross River State and all APC candidates,” he stated.
