By Joe Ephraim, Calabar
A strong political signal has emerged from Cross River State as the Chief of Staff to the Governor, High Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Ironbar, issued a renewed and emphatic call for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging stakeholders to back Governor Bassey Edet Otu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a detailed political statement dated April 18, 2026, Ironbar framed the popular slogan, “Prince is Coming Again,” as more than a campaign refrain, describing it as a long-standing movement rooted in what he called the quest to correct “political injustice” against Otu.
He traced the origins of the movement to 2015, when Otu, then a senator, was denied a return ticket under controversial circumstances, a situation he said repeated itself in 2019. According to Ironbar, those setbacks only strengthened the resolve of loyalists, who regrouped, expanded grassroots structures, and sustained advocacy that ultimately culminated in Otu’s election as governor in 2023.
Highlighting Otu’s political legacy, Ironbar recalled the governor’s tenure in the Senate beginning in 2011, noting that it ushered in a “new culture of grassroots empowerment.” He cited large-scale distribution of economic support items and start-up tools to constituents, which he said elevated Otu’s political profile but also attracted opposition from entrenched interests.
The Chief of Staff maintained that the movement’s resilience paid off in 2023, describing Otu’s emergence as governor as both “divinely ordained and people-driven.” He reassured party faithful who are yet to benefit from political appointments or empowerment initiatives, urging patience and loyalty while affirming that “the Governor’s word is his bond.”
Ironbar also pointed to ongoing federal and state-backed development initiatives as evidence of effective governance. He listed key projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Calabar, and the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port, alongside social interventions including free healthcare for women and children, agricultural mechanization programmes, MSME support schemes, and infrastructure upgrades across the state.
Looking ahead to the 2027 political season, Ironbar called for intensified grassroots mobilization, door-to-door engagement, and strict party discipline. He urged APC members to rally behind Otu as the sole governorship candidate in the party’s primaries scheduled for May 18, 2026, ahead of the February 6, 2027 general elections.
He also reaffirmed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the need for alignment between state and federal leadership to sustain development momentum.
While acknowledging the likelihood of stiff political competition, Ironbar cautioned against divisive tactics, stressing that the movement remains committed to peaceful, issue-based politics devoid of “slander, character assassination, and misinformation.”
“As we build momentum, unity of purpose and unwavering commitment will deliver victory,” he stated.
The statement signals an early consolidation move within the APC in Cross River State, setting the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested political cycle in 2027.
