Castro Ezama, has issued a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconsider Cross River State’s role in national politics, following the party’s victory in Edo State. Ezama highlighted the critical role of Cross River leaders, particularly His Excellency, Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in the campaign that secured Edo for the APC.
In a statement, Ezama noted that Senator Otu led the campaign council, while Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr. also played a key role in ensuring the party’s success in Edo State. He emphasized that despite these contributions, Cross River’s political influence within the APC at the national level has dwindled. He pointed to the reduction of the state’s ministerial slots from two to one following the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu from the federal executive council, expressing concern that the APC’s politics in the South-South region may be increasingly dominated by Edo State.
“The only APC national position that would have come to Cross River was snatched up by Edo State,” Ezama remarked, suggesting that this decision was perhaps made with future political dynamics in mind. He urged President Tinubu and the party’s power brokers to “readmit Dr. Betta Edu or appoint another Crossriverian into the federal executive council” to maintain a balance of representation.
Ezama’s message also extended beyond political appointments, as he called on the President to reconsider economic policies that have led to widespread hunger and poverty in the country. He expressed hope that the APC’s victory in Edo would prompt a reevaluation of policies that have impacted everyday Nigerians.
The political commentator concluded by appealing to the national leadership of the APC, including the party’s chairman, to urgently consider a viable position for Cross River State, given its sacrifices for the party at the national level.
