By: Our Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has declared that the governor Bassey Edet Otu-led administration remains focused and politically grounded.
Also, the government is “too solid to be distracted” by opposition politics or social media criticisms.
Odey stated this when he received a delegation from the Creative, Entertainment and Events Community (CEEC), Cross River State, at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Room, Government House, Calabar.
Reacting to recent comments attributed to a factional candidate of the opposition party in the state, Odey said the administration would rather allow its record in office to speak for itself than be drawn into unnecessary political distractions.
According to him, the administration inherited a state that required deliberate restoration and has since embarked on the restoration, renovation and remodelling of critical state infrastructure and assets, while simultaneously initiating new projects aimed at repositioning the state for sustainable growth.
He said the political strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state was rooted not merely in political structures, but also in the administration’s visible interventions across sectors across the three senatorial districts.
Rt. Hon. Odey cited improved security across the state as a major achievement of the administration, noting that the relative peace and stability have created a more conducive environment for businesses and private-sector investments to thrive, including in Akpabuyo, which plays host to a university.
He also highlighted the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, noting that Cross River was among the first states in the country to commence implementation of the new wage regime in December 2024, while on the welfare of senior citizens,
Odey said the administration had made the welfare of retirees a priority, pointing to the release of ₦10 billion towards the settlement of outstanding gratuities, with the first batch already cleared and the second batch currently being processed.
He added that pension payments remain a priority of the administration, stressing that government would continue to honour its obligations to workers and retirees, noting that no pensioner is currently owed pension in the state.
Odey therefore called on Cross Riverians, including members of the creative community and political stakeholders, to look beyond partisan differences and contribute to the development of the state.
Speaking earlier, the spokesman of the CEEC delegation and DG-Central, CEEC, Mr. Ejor Ndifon, commended the Governor Otu-led administration for what he described as deliberate efforts to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of Cross Riverians and give critical state assets a facelift.
Speaking further, Ndifon commended the Governor Otu-led administration for its growing support for the creative arts and entertainment industry, noting that the government’s deliberate efforts to create opportunities for young creatives are helping to position the state as a destination for talent, entertainment and creative enterprise.
He particularly appreciated the administration’s recognition of the creative sector as an important component of the state’s socioeconomic development, stressing that sustained government support would enable more young people to turn their talents into sustainable livelihoods.
Reaffirming the group’s support for the administration ahead of the 2027 general elections, he expressed appreciation to the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, for his consistent support for talents, young people and youth economic empowerment.
Ndifon disclosed that, ahead of the official flag-off of CEEC, the group would stage a Creative Youth Mega Walk in solidarity with Governor Bassey Otu and Deputy Governor Peter Odey on Saturday, September 26.
He said the initiative would bring together young people within the creative, entertainment and events ecosystem to demonstrate their support for the administration’s efforts to create opportunities and strengthen the creative economy.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of a commemorative souvenir to the Deputy Governor by the Director of the group in the Southern Senatorial District, Mr. Bobby Ekanem.
