2027: Cross River Sport Commission Inaugurates Grassroot Support Group for Tinubu, Otu's Re-election

The Cross River State Sport Commission has inaugurated a grassroot support group known as "Sport Community Support group" to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu's re-election bid in 2027.

The move is part of efforts to rally support across platforms, mobilize grassroots participation and secure a landslide victory in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Friday in Calabar, The State Sport Commission Chairman, Lawrence Etta, commended members of the support group, describing them as "key actors for effective grassroots mobilisation to secure victory across all levels in the forthcoming general elections."

Etta, reaffirmed the group's commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu's re-election bid in 2027, describing it as a continuation of policies aimed at securing Nigeria’s economic stability, youth empowerment, and long-term national development, urging members to remain focused, organized, and proactive in their engagement efforts.

"We have work to do. The future of Nigeria and the safety of our children’s tomorrow depend on what we build today. Let us remain united, disciplined, and committed", he added.

Etta while charging the newly appointed members to remain committed to the tasks ahead, described sport as a national and global unifier, stressing that sport is the only activity that unites people from different ethnicity, beliefs and religious inclinations.

"Sport is a uniting factor. It has the capacity to bring people from different religious backgrounds, ethnicity and beliefs to come together. I urge all the support group members to carry out this evangelism for President Tinubu and Governor Otu's re-election", he emphasised.

He called on members to promote the achievements of the federal and state governments in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and The people's First Mantra of Governor Bassey Otu.

Etta urged members of the committee and Vice Chairmen of the 18 local government council who are coordinators of sport at various grassroots level to intensify efforts in promoting government policies and programmes to strengthen support at the local levels, saying "Our primary objective is to strengthen the support base for our leaders as we approach the next electoral cycle.

In his remarks shortly after the inauguration, The Director General of the committee, Hon. Obi Akan while lauding the efforts of the state government, emphasised that the efforts to position grassroots coordinators blends intentionality with political strategy.

"On behalf of all the committee members, I want to thank the government of Cross River State for the trust repose on us to carry on this mandate. It is an intentional political strategy and we will do our best to canvass support for our leaders", he stated.

Akan pledged to unite with other grassrooters to commence a robust mobilisation and rally support across platforms  to mobilise votes for President Tinubu and Governor Otu's return to office.

The members appointed are, Director General, Hon. Obi Akan, Secretary; Hon. Christina Eso; Financial Secretary Hon. Emilia Katame, Treasurer; Hon. Cecilia Ogar,  Publicity Secretary and Director of Media; Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, Welfare Officer; Hon. Rhoda Ashong, Organising Secretary; Mr. Sunny Ndep Ebam, Director of Contact and Mobilization; Hon. Joseph Ukata, Member; Hon. Chris Effiom and all Vice Chairmen of Council as Local Government Coordinators.