…As APC ends Presidential Campaign Rally in Cross River
By Onwa Ekor
President Bola Tinubu has proposed Calabar, the Cross River capital, as location for the Gulf of Guinea Secretariat.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, disclosed this during his official visit to the state for the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
He said the project would boost the state’s international visibility, attract diplomatic and commercial activities and stimulate hospitality and tourism.
The President noted that the initiative would translate regional cooperation into economic opportunities and expand Nigeria’s international engagement.
“We believe that this intervention drives the human capital development of this great state while providing wider access to higher education,” he said.
According to him, the Bakassi Deep Seaport, which has received Federal Government approval, would on completion become an international maritime gateway, attract shipping companies, generate employment, stimulate industrial development and open enormous economic opportunities for the people.
He added that the coastal highway under construction would ease movement, expand tourism and create direct and indirect jobs.
He sought a renewed mandate for himself, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu and other APC candidates, saying it would guarantee a brighter future for children and a new lease of life for communities.
In his remarks, Otu described Tinubu as a leader who put his life on the line for democracy, created the South-South Development Commission, ended the exploitative subsidy regime and supported presidents from all geopolitical zones to succeed.
Otu said Tinubu laid the foundation for national food security, tackled terrorism, banditry and insurgency, reformed the naira regime and enhanced foreign reserves and macroeconomic stability.
He urged the people to take the message of the Renewed Hope agenda home, noting that Cross River had grown its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with fiscal prudence second to none.
“This is the next investment haven in Nigeria, the safest in the whole of Nigeria. We have investments coming from far and near, our economy has changed and we are moving forward.
“We are out of recovery and restoration to wealth creation and prosperity. Let us join hands in making sure that we support President Bola Tinubu to the fullest,” Otu said.
He appealed to voters to support the President, himself and all APC candidates to ensure seamless relationship between the executive and legislature.
National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the President intends to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030 with Cross River as one of its pillars.
Yilwatda described Tinubu as a change agent working to transform the country and the best candidate for the 2027 general elections.