Oppositions Weakened as Evidences of Good Governance in Cross River State Calls For a Second Term Ahead of 2027 Elections

Photo: Governor Otu and Infrastructural work

By Oluchi Omai

As political conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum across Nigeria, the atmosphere in Cross River State appears increasingly shaped by governance, infrastructure and economic revival rather than conventional political rhetoric.

In many parts of the state, discussions about Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s administration are gradually moving beyond party loyalty. Supporters of the governor argue that visible projects and the revival of long-abandoned assets have strengthened public confidence in the current administration, placing opposition parties under growing pressure ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Since assuming office in May 2023 under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otu has repeatedly presented his administration as one focused on continuity, economic revival and infrastructural renewal through what he describes as the “People First” agenda.

While critics maintain that Cross River still faces significant economic and social challenges, even some neutral observers acknowledge that the administration has made deliberate efforts to revive critical state assets that had remained dormant for years.

One of the strongest symbols of that effort is Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.

For years, Tinapa stood as a painful reminder of abandoned ambition. Conceived during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke as a major tourism and business destination, the resort later became trapped in debt, ownership disputes and operational decline.

However, the narrative around Tinapa has started changing under Otu’s administration.

In 2025, the Cross River State Government officially regained control of the resort from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), ending over a decade of uncertainty surrounding the facility. Governor Otu described the recovery as “a rebirth” and “the triumph of faith, patience and resilience.”

The government has since announced plans to reposition Tinapa as a centre for trade, tourism, entertainment and investment. According to official statements, efforts are underway to remodel Amber Tinapa Hotel, revive Studio Tinapa and attract private investors into the facility.

For many Cross River residents, the significance goes beyond infrastructure. Tinapa carries emotional value. It represents a dream many believed had died.

Architect Bassey Eyo-Ndem, a former Managing Director of Tinapa, praised the governor’s decision to focus on reviving inherited projects rather than abandoning them for new political legacies. He noted that government should be “a continuum” where leaders build on previous efforts rather than discard them.

The administration’s attention has also extended to tourism infrastructure across the state.

In 2025, the government approved the release of ₦18 billion for the rehabilitation and upgrade of tourism assets including Obudu Mountain Resort, Marina Resort, Kwa Falls and Tinapa. Officials said the investment formed part of a broader tourism transformation programme aimed at repositioning Cross River as a leading destination in West Africa.

Particular attention has been placed on the Obudu Mountain Resort, formerly known widely as Obudu Cattle Ranch.

For years, the once-famous destination suffered neglect, declining visitor numbers and deteriorating facilities. Under the present administration, however, the government has reopened conversations around restoring its status as one of Nigeria’s premier tourism destinations.

Governor Otu has linked the revival of the resort to broader economic goals including job creation, tourism development and international investment partnerships. During engagements with Afreximbank in Cairo, the governor disclosed that discussions around funding also covered the Obudu Cattle Ranch and Mountain Resort project.

The Marina Resort in Calabar is another asset receiving renewed government attention. Once a vibrant leisure and tourism centre attracting visitors from across the country, the resort has gradually faded over the years due to inadequate maintenance and reduced public investment.

The present administration says rehabilitation efforts are intended not only to restore tourism activities but also to stimulate small businesses, entertainment and local employment opportunities linked to the hospitality sector.

Beyond tourism, the administration has continued to emphasise road infrastructure and economic connectivity.

Governor Otu stated in an interview that his government had focused on opening up roads in agricultural and commercial areas across the southern, central and northern senatorial districts of the state. According to him, the objective is to improve access to production centres and stimulate economic activities.

The government has also promoted major long-term projects including the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and superhighway initiatives, which officials believe could significantly reshape trade and logistics within the state if fully realised.

These developments are gradually influencing the political climate.

Within opposition circles, there are growing concerns about how to effectively challenge an incumbent administration that continues to anchor its political messaging around visible projects and asset recovery.

Although opposition parties are expected to intensify campaigns as 2027 approaches, analysts say the political conversation in Cross River may increasingly revolve around governance performance rather than traditional political mobilisation alone.

Political observers also note that Otu’s strategy appears carefully designed around continuity and restoration rather than aggressive political confrontation. In several public statements, the governor has repeatedly stressed that projects initiated by previous administrations should not be abandoned simply because governments change.

That position may prove politically significant.

In a country where many public projects become victims of political transitions, the decision to revive existing assets rather than launch entirely new ventures has earned the administration some public goodwill.

Still, challenges remain.

Cross River continues to battle unemployment, revenue limitations and economic pressures affecting many Nigerian states. Critics argue that infrastructure revival alone may not immediately solve deeper social and economic concerns confronting ordinary citizens.

Others caution that large projects such as Tinapa and the Bakassi Deep Seaport will ultimately be judged not by announcements but by long-term sustainability, private sector participation and measurable economic impact.

Yet there is little doubt that the political atmosphere in the state is changing.

The opposition may still regroup. Alliances may emerge. New political calculations could alter the balance before 2027. But for now, Governor Bassey Otu’s administration appears to be building a political advantage around one central argument that governance, continuity and infrastructural renewal offer a stronger campaign message than mere political criticism.

Whether that momentum translates into another electoral victory remains uncertain.

But across Cross River State, the signs are already visible. Roads are being discussed. Tourism assets are returning to public conversation. Tinapa is no longer viewed entirely as a forgotten monument.

And as the road to 2027 slowly unfolds, many residents appear to be asking a simple question: should a government that has started rebuilding abandoned dreams be allowed more time to finish the work?